Thank you so much for your reponse.
I suspected it may be the adapter, so I went to the store just bought a number of different combinations. Here is what I found works with the Gigabyte Aero 15 X9:
I use this combination cable adapter. That way it connects directly from the Vive hub to the USB-C with nothing else in between. It has male USB-C on one side and male mini-displayport on the other.
CHOETECH Type C to mini DisplayPort, 4K @ 60Hz, Gold Plated, 1.5M, Black (XCM-1501) https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=1340_1418&item_id=131990
It must be connected to the USB-C side (the left side of the laptop) and NOT the thunderbolt side on the right.
Starting everything almost always requires two steps with a reboot. I will try ordering your recommended cable to see if that helps.
Plug everything in, wait for all the USB devices to beep and say ready, then start Steam VR.
Get message that headset is disconnected. The button to reset it never works. Instead, go to the SteaVR settings / developer / remove USB devices. Wait for it to complete
Unplug headset and hub from USB.
Reboot the computer.
When it boots up, plug everything in and wait 3 minutes for the USB devices to say ready.
Start Steam VR.
Possibly go back to step two again.
It works!
I am not sure if this is relevevant, but I have also set the graphics processor to nvidia-preferred mode like this: