problem w/ MacBook Pro 2017, new USB C adapter, Kinesis keyboard, and Cirque track pad

I am trying to use a new USB C adapter with my MacBook Pro 2017 (OS Sierra 10.12.6), but when I turn on the computer with my Kinesis Advantage keyboard and my Cirque track pad, neither the keyboard nor track pad work. Can anyone help me solve this problem?

A bit more information and an additional related question:

I am using a new USB C adapter because I need one with an additional port, because I starting am using a USB microphone (to use Dragon for Mac).

When I shut down and re-start my computer with the keyboard and trackpad plugged into my old adapter (with said adapter plugged into my computer), the keyboard and trackpad do work.

If I just unplug the new adapter and plug in the old adapter (with keyboard and track pad plugged in), neither the keyboard nor track pad work.

Before the new adapter, using the old adapter, I sometimes had a problem with the keyboard not working. I recall fixing that problem by going into System Preferences, into the Keyboard section, I think. In any case, I would arrive (somehow, perhaps through System Preferences, Keyboard) at a screen that told me to push certain keys to get my computer to recognize the keyboard. The problem was instantly resolved. I am not finding that screen now. How do I find that screen?

Thank you!