Universal Laptop USB Docking Station with VGA Audio Ethernet

Questions & Answers

How do I install a USB video adapter in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11? (.exe method)
To install a USB video adapter in Windows, download the latest driver package from StarTech.com, run the Setup.exe installer as an administrator, restart the computer when prompted, and then connect the USB video adapter. Explanation: Do not connect the USB video adapter to the computer until the driver installation process instructs you to do so. Before installing the driver, ensure that Windows is fully updated with the latest service packs, security updates, and feature updates available for your operating system. To install the USB video adapter: Download the latest driver package from the StarTech.com Drivers & Downloads page. Locate the downloaded ZIP file and extract its contents. Open the extracted folder and right-click Setup.exe, then select Run as administrator. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation. Restart the computer if prompted. After Windows has restarted, connect the USB video adapter to the computer. Windows will automatically complete the device installation and configure the adapter for use. During installation: The display may flicker or temporarily go blank. This is normal. Installation may take several seconds to complete. Additional monitors may become available once the driver installation finishes. If Run as administrator is not available, ensure that the installer is being launched from the extracted folder and not directly from within the ZIP file. After installation is complete, the USB video adapter should be ready to use and Windows can be configured to extend or mirror the desktop on the connected display.

How do I uninstall a StarTech.com USB video adapter driver from Windows?
To uninstall a StarTech.com USB video adapter driver, disconnect the USB video adapter from the computer, remove the USB Display Device (Trigger Family) software through Windows Programs and Features, and then restart the computer. Explanation: Before uninstalling the driver, physically disconnect the USB video adapter from the computer. To remove the USB video adapter software: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista Open Control Panel . Select Programs and Features . Locate USB Display Device (Trigger Family) in the list of installed programs. Select the software and choose Uninstall . Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal process. Restart the computer if prompted. Windows XP Open Control Panel . Select Add or Remove Programs . Locate USB Display Device (Trigger Family) in the list of installed programs. Select the software and choose Remove . Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal process. Restart the computer if prompted. After the restart is complete, the USB video adapter driver and associated software will be removed from the system.

How do I install my laptop docking station in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11? (.exe method)
To install your laptop docking station in Windows, download the latest driver package from StarTech.com, extract the files, run Setup.exe as an administrator, restart the computer if prompted, and then connect the docking station. Explanation: Do not connect the laptop docking station to the computer until the driver installation is complete. Before installing the driver, ensure that Windows is fully updated with the latest service packs, security updates, and feature updates available for your operating system. To install the driver: Download the latest driver package from the StarTech.com Drivers & Downloads page. Extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file. Open the extracted folder. Right-click Setup.exe and select Run as administrator . Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. Restart the computer if prompted. After Windows restarts, connect the laptop docking station to the computer. Windows will automatically complete the device installation and the docking station will be ready to use. Note: If Run as administrator is not available, ensure that you are launching Setup.exe from the extracted folder rather than directly from within the ZIP file.

How do I install my laptop docking station in Windows XP? (.exe method)
Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed). Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support . The part number and product ID are on the product packaging. Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:Documents and Settings your_name My DocumentsDownloads). After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All , and complete the instructions. In the list of extracted files, double-click the Setup.exe file. Complete the instructions to install the device drivers, and restart your computer when prompted to. After your computer restarts, connect the laptop docking station to your computer. Your computer automatically finishes installing the driver and your device should be ready to use.

Some graphics are not rendered correctly on the USB connected display when using Microsoft Office applications or web browsers. How do I fix this?
If hardware acceleration is enabled on any of your software applications, it can result in poor resource management and limit the performance of your video device. If you experience this problem, you should disable hardware acceleration in the program(s) that were impacted. To disable hardware acceleration in common applications and operating systems, complete one of the following series of steps, depending on what software application(s) or operating system that you are running. Chromium-Based Microsoft Edge: Click the Options icon (it has three dots on it). Click Settings . Click System . Uncheck Use hardware acceleration when available . Internet Explorer 9 and later Note: Earlier versions of Internet Explorer do not use hardware acceleration. Click the Start button. Open Control Panel . Click Network and Internet . Click Internet Options . Click the Advanced tab. Browse to the Accelerated graphics screen. Select the Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering check box. Click Apply . Restart your computer. Mozilla Firefox Open Firefox. Press the Alt key. Click Tools and Options . Click the Advanced icon. Click the General tab. Under Browsing , clear the Use hardware acceleration when available check box. Click the OK button. Restart your web browser. Google Chrome Open Google Chrome. Click the Options icon (it has three horizontal lines on it). Click Settings . Click Show advanced settings . Scroll to the bottom of the screen and clear the Use hardware acceleration when available check box. Restart your web browser. Microsoft Office 2013 / 2010 Open any program in Microsoft Office (for example, Microsoft Word). Click the File tab. In the menu on the left side of the screen, click Options . Click Advanced . Under Display , select the Disable hardware graphics acceleration check box. Close and restart all of the Microsoft Office programs that you had open. Windows 10 / 8 Press the Windows key + X . Click Control Panel . Click Personalization . Select a high-contrast theme. Windows 7 / Vista Click the Start button. Click Control Panel . Click Personalization . Select a non-Aero theme. Ideally, you should select a basic and high-contrast theme. Windows XP Click the Start button. Open the Control Panel . Select Display . Click the Settings tab. Click Advanced . Click the Troubleshooting tab. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None . Restart your computer.

Why do I lose my additional monitor(s) when my computer wakes up from sleep mode in Windows?
If the display connected through your USB display adapter does not wake up after your computer has been in extended hibernation, it is likely that Windows has automatically turned off the USB Root hub to save power. The steps below outline how to configure the USB root hub to stay on during hibernation, to prevent this from happening. Windows 8 / 10 On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound , then click Power Options . Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change. Click Change advanced power settings . Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled . Click OK to apply the setting. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB display adapter after applying these settings to re-establish the connection. Windows 7 / Vista Click the Start button and select Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound , then click Power Options . Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change. Click Change advanced power settings . Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled . Click OK to apply the setting. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB display adapter after applying these settings to re-establish the connection. Windows XP On your desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties . Click the Device Manager tab. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the arrow to the left of it. Right-click the first USB Root Hub device and select Properties . Click the Power Management tab. Clear the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power . Click OK to apply the setting. Repeat steps 4-7 for any remaining devices in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section with “ Root Hub ” in the name. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB display adapter after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

I am having issues with my new network interface card (NIC) and my on-board NIC is still enabled. What do I do in Windows?
Sometimes an on-board network interface card (NIC) conflicts with a new NIC. In these cases it is best to disable the on-board NIC. The best way to disable your on-board NIC is to go into your BIOS and disable it there if possible. To do this, consult your motherboard manual. You can also disable any NIC in Windows. Here is how you do this: First click Start , or, in Windows 10 and 8, hold down the Windows key and press X . Then click Control Panel . Windows 10 Click Network and Internet . Click Network and Sharing Center . On the left, click Change adapter settings . Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable . Windows 8 Click Network and Sharing Center . On the left, click Change adapter settings . Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable . Windows 7 Click Network and Internet . Click Network and Sharing Center . On the left, click Change adapter settings . Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable . Windows Vista Click Network and Sharing Center . On the left, click Manage network connections . Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable . Windows XP Click Network Connections . Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable .

Why do I have speed or connectivity issues?
If you are experiencing speed or connectivity issues, it is best to set a specific speed at half or full duplex in your settings. You can set your network adapter to perform at a certain speed, but the device that the adapter is connected to (whether it is a router, switch, or computer) must also be able to perform at the same speed. Note : You must log in as the local administrator before you continue. To open Device Manager: Press Windows key + R . Type devmgmt.msc . Click OK . Open the Networking adapters section. Right-click the network adapter that you want to change and select Properties . Click the Advanced tab. Scroll down to Speed & Duplex . By default, it is set to Auto-Negotiate . Select any of the speeds that you see in the list. Click OK and restart your computer.

Everything is hooked up but nothing is working. What should I do?
When you troubleshoot issues with a laptop docking station, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue: Video cables Video source Video destination Laptop docking station USB peripherals Ethernet connection To test your setup components, try the following: Use the video cables, video source, video destination, laptop docking station, USB peripherals, and Ethernet connection in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup. Use a different video cable, video source, video destination, laptop docking station, USB peripherals, and Ethernet connection setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup. When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following: Test each cable individually. Use short cables when you are testing. When you test the video cables, video source, video destination, and laptop docking station it is recommended that you do the following: Press the Windows key + R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter to open Device Manager. If you do not see the USB video adapter in Device Manager, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/en-us/faq/usb-cannot-detect-windows . If the device is listed with an error, reinstall the drivers following the instructions on the website. Check to see if your video card drivers are current. You can check what video card you have in Device Manager under Display adapters . It is recommended that you go directly to the video card manufacturer's website to check for the latest drivers. Check to see if the monitor is being detected by Windows. For more information about testing the USB peripherals and the laptop docking station, visit www.startech.com/faq/usb_hubs_general_troubleshooting . When you test Ethernet and the laptop docking station, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/network_adapters_general_troubleshooting . When you test sound and the laptop docking station, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/sound_cards_general_troubleshooting .

I'm having problems with my web browser, Microsoft Office, or other Windows applications; what do I do?
If hardware acceleration is enabled on any of your software applications, it can result in poor resource management and limit the performance of your video device. If you experience this problem, you should disable hardware acceleration in the program(s) that were impacted. To disable hardware acceleration in common applications and operating systems, complete one of the following series of steps, depending on what software application(s) or operating system that you are running. Internet Explorer 9 and later Note: Earlier versions of Internet Explorer do not use hardware acceleration. Click the Start button. Open Control Panel . Click Network and Internet . Click Internet Options . Click the Advanced tab. Browse to the Accelerated graphics screen. Select the Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering check box. Click Apply . Restart your computer. Mozilla Firefox Open Firefox. Press the Alt key. Click Tools and Options . Click the Advanced icon. Click the General tab. Under Browsing , clear the Use hardware acceleration when available check box. Click the OK button. Restart your web browser. Google Chrome Open Google Chrome. Click the Options icon (it has three horizontal lines on it). Click Settings . Click Show advanced settings . Scroll to the bottom of the screen and clear the Use hardware acceleration when available check box. Restart your web browser. Microsoft Office 2013 / 2010 Open any program in Microsoft Office (for example, Microsoft Word). Click the File tab. In the menu on the left side of the screen, click Options . Click Advanced . Under Display , select the Disable hardware graphics acceleration check box. Close and restart all of the Microsoft Office programs that you had open. Windows 10 / 8 Press the Windows key + X . Click Control Panel . Click Personalization . Select a high-contrast theme. Windows 7 / Vista Click the Start button. Click Control Panel . Click Personalization . Select a non-Aero theme. Ideally, you should select a basic and high-contrast theme. Windows XP Click the Start button. Open the Control Panel . Select Display . Click the Settings tab. Click Advanced . Click the Troubleshooting tab. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None . Restart your computer.

Can I use my network card for a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)?
StarTech.com does not support a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) as this requires third-party software. However, our devices can be used as long as the following conditions are met: The BIOS must support PXE. The BIOS must see the card. The environment must have drivers for the chipset used in the card. If using a USB networking card, the environment must have support for USB devices as well.

How do I confirm that Windows detects my USB device?
To confirm that Windows detects your USB device, complete the following: Press the Windows key+ R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter . In Device Manager , under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it. For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers . Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

Can this laptop docking station charge a connected laptop?
No, this laptop docking station does not support charging a connected laptop computer. Explanation: This docking station does not provide power delivery or laptop charging functionality through the host connection. A separate power adapter connected directly to the laptop is required to charge the laptop while using this docking station. Laptop charging support varies by docking station model and depends on features such as USB Power Delivery (USB PD) or Thunderbolt charging support. For a list of StarTech.com laptop docking stations that support charging connected laptops, refer to the related FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/laptop-docking-stations-will-charge-laptop .

What DC barrel connector power plug types do StarTech.com products use, and what are their dimensions?
StarTech.com DC barrel connector plug types are defined in the “Plug Type” field of the technical specifications, using a letter code that specifies the connector’s outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID) in millimeters for power adapter compatibility. Explanation: In StarTech.com technical specifications, the “Plug Type” field is a standardized identifier for the exact DC barrel connector size required to power a product. Each plug type is assigned a letter code that corresponds to a specific combination of outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID), measured in millimeters. Common DC barrel plug type dimensions Plug Type OD ID A 2.35 mm 0.7 mm B 4.0 mm 1.7 mm C 4.75 mm 1.7 mm H 3.4 mm 1.3 mm L 5.0 mm 2.5 mm M 5.5 mm 2.1 mm N 5.5 mm 2.5 mm The DC barrel connector plug type must match both the outer diameter and inner diameter exactly. A mismatch between the StarTech.com product requirement and the power adapter connector can prevent proper fit or stable power delivery, which may result in device startup failure or intermittent operation. The plug type defines only the physical connector size. The plug type does not define electrical power requirements such as voltage, current, or polarity. The power adapter used with a StarTech.com product must match the product’s specified electrical requirements. Using an incompatible power adapter can cause device malfunction or permanent damage. This standardized DC barrel connector plug type system enables IT professionals and procurement teams to verify connector dimensions, ensure power adapter compatibility, standardize hardware deployments, and identify the correct replacement power supply for StarTech.com products.