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dblackston1

KVM Switch Setup Help

Build Help

My mother has started working from home more, and my neice is at the age where she is starting to have more homework.

They have 3 computers, the older family tower, mom's work laptop, nieces laptop. Theyre constantly unhooking printers, a cricuit, and other peripherals.

I decided to suprise them with a triple monitor setup and KVM switch to clean up the home office for Christmas and condense everything. I basically mimicked my setup at home. I have however run into two snags with their setup.

I will be asking questions about this KVM Switch:

https://www.amazon.com/HDMI2-1-Displayport-Monitors-Computers-Switches/dp/B0FLT5QTFK?pd_rd_w=DeGbu&content-id=amzn1.sym.d835d594-8c58-45a9-b057-50d11603f9e9&pf_rd_p=d835d594-8c58-45a9-b057-50d11603f9e9&pf_rd_r=5HCSAXNBCGJ3TT66A201&pd_rd_wg=T00IX&pd_rd_r=00d9a23a-e5c9-4f30-876c-e986fdfdf99a&pd_rd_i=B0FLT5QTFK&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_1_nped_sc

I will be asking questions about this dock:

https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Docking-LIONWEI-Ethernet-Thunderbolt/dp/B0BK8QNY2W?pd_rd_w=HGaj8&content-id=amzn1.sym.d835d594-8c58-45a9-b057-50d11603f9e9&pf_rd_p=d835d594-8c58-45a9-b057-50d11603f9e9&pf_rd_r=1VHZCX644BKJGR8KCYY3&pd_rd_wg=zu4PH&pd_rd_r=19829ce3-86ac-4299-be81-6f6b8ea63653&pd_rd_i=B0BK8QNY2W&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_1_sc

Snag 1: The older tower has two HDMI ports, no hope here of running 3 monitors. The issue is the KVM switch I have accepts 2 displayport inputs and one HDMI. Basically I need to get my HDMI signal from the computer into a display port hole in the KVM switch. This for some reason is really confusing me. Should I put a HDMI to DP dongle at the computer and run a DP cable to the KVM? Does that dongle need to be powered? Alternatively, do I run an HDMI cable close to the KVM switch and run an HDMI to DP dongle there? Would it need powered?

Snag 2: The two laptops do not charge with the dock I bought.

I have been unable to find a dock that does what I need though that will charge. They are USB-n thunderbolt.

The main issue is I can't seem to locate a KVM switch that has 2 display port and 1 HDMI and is also powered to charge the laptop. I find them instead with two HDMI and one display port.

Any help or recommendation on products is greatly appreciated to finish this early Christmas present-

Posted Dec 7, 2025, 4:49 AM UTC

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