Hi guys, I've posted this in the hardware section, but depending on the answer I guess it may need to me moved to software.

The problem is, I have a Dell M1710 laptop (which I love) and on the back, there are 2 video connectors, A standard VGA, and a DVI, Shown below.

I assumed that if plugged a monitor into the DVI socket, I would be able to use it as a monitor outlet. If I plug a monitor into the standard VGA port, it works fine, but it just will not pick up anything in the DVI port.

Am I doing something completly stupid and missing the point? or is this just not possible?

I guess the first question would be why am I not just using the VGA port, the reason for this is that idealy I want to run two monitors off the laptop, so obviously I need both ports.

Many many thanks in advance for any help which can be offered.
I have attached 2 pictures, 1 of the connectors on the laptop, and one of the adaptor I am using.

They probably did that Triston, just so you don't need to use a DVI-to-VGA adaptor. Especially given your observations. However, to confirm that we would need more information about the included video card such as a screenshot of your Display Properties | Settings under Windows.

Should the dual monitors be inherently unsupported though, one alternative approach is to get something like Matrox DualHead2Go.

Not all DVI ports support a VGA adapter. Since that laptop includes a separate VGA connector, that may be what your problem is. Have you tried connecting the DVI port directly to a DVI monitor?

It's also likely that using both ports at once is unsupported, since that would give you three displays. It would be pretty nice if you could do that, but then I would rather it have two DVI ports.