connecting to a dell screen

When I connect to a dell screen using a mini dvi to vga adapter only my desktop background appears. What is el problemo? The screen on my black macbook is broken so i need the screen to transfer data.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me.

try dragging the screen right, or left or up or down, its weird, but if you grab the screen and drag it in the right direction it appears on teh new screen

might have to 'detect displays' in system preferences first?

Your main display is being extended onto the second display, while your toolbar and docks, etc. are remaining on the main display (which you cant see because its broken) so you need to press cmd+F1 to mirror your main display to the second display.