Second monitor using VGA to HDMI or alternative?

Question

Hi, 
I recently purchased a HP ENVY TouchSmart 15-j038tx Notebook PC.
I have a Dell monitor, which only uses the VGA output. 
I have a sony vaio VGA to HDMI adapter, and I tried this adapter with the monitor, it worked fine. I was able to use the monitor as second screen.
However, when I use the same adapter on the HP computer, the second monitor is black and do not get recognised. 
Can someone please helpe me!!!!
Do I need to buy a new VGA to HDMI that's specifically built for HP computers?
Or 
Do I need to download some drivers to make this work? I just  updated the computer with the drivers as I purchased this only a few weeks ago. 
or 
Do I need to get a different adapter? like VGA to USB? Is there such a thing?
The Dell monitor is about 5 years old, but if it works on my Sony Vaio Pro 13 Laptop that just got released, I don't see why it won't work on the HP too.
Many Thanks

Answer 1

There is a possibility that all you need to do is go into the display properties of the HP and have it look for the adapter.
First the model number of the HP and then the Windows version that is installed, please.
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