Monitor Div Input Not Working, But Vga Does Work

Laptop system: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Laptop: ASUS K52F
Intel Graphics
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2250 with 1080p display
ViewSonic inputs from monitor data sheet:
1×15 pin mini D-sub
1×DVI-D(Supported HDMI ver.1.3 spec/Display port 11spec with suitable adaptor)

I purchased monitor & laptop 6 years ago. Been using laptop VGA output to monitor VGA input. Realizing that a new laptop will have HDMI out but no VGA out, I wanted to ensure that the monitor will work with HDMI. I used the following connection:

VX2250 Monitor DVI input --to-- DVI cable that came with monitor --to-- DVI-to-HDMI adapter --to-- Laptop HDMI output

(A) The DVI-to-HDMI adapter contained all pins on both the DVI and HDMI sides so that no signals should be missing. Purchased from walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/INSTEN-D...ed-Adapter-Converter-For-HDTV-LCD-TV/39438771
(B) The DVI cable that came with the monitor has 18 pins. Perhaps not compatible with HDMI?

This above configuration did not work. When I plugged the DVI-to-HDMI adapter into the laptop, the laptop screen went blank as though the laptop was trying to display to the monitor. But nothing showed up on the monitor screen. Since the laptop screen went blank, I am assuming that the laptop is outputting a HDMI signal.

I tried the following:
(1) Update drivers for ViewSonic monitor & Intel graphics (both needed new drivers) - no change
(2) Turn off everything. Plug DVI cable into monitor & into laptop HDMI port. Turn on monitor. Turn on laptop - no change. Nothing shows on either screen.
(3) The monitor menu has a selection for input: D-Sub or DVI. I switched input to DVI when the monitor is on while using the VGA cable. Monitor screen goes blank, then comes back on after a few seconds still usign the VGA input.
(3-A) Note that in the event someone suggests plugging the VGA and HDMI calbe into the laptop at the same time: there is no room to plug both at same time.
(4) Switch monitor input to DVI, then quickly unplug VGA cable from laptop & plug in HDMI - did not work. Both screens remain blank.

Any suggestions?