Having some issues with my external display

I'ts probably a very simple problem so i'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question..
Im running an: apple mini display to DVI > DVI to VGA adaptor > VGA input into a dell monitor (fairly old- unsure of age)
>Is this wrong?
>the monitor has a DVI input. should i be using this instead?
>I am using a Macbook pro as my source
If anyone could shed some light on this it would be really appreciated
Cheers
Jack

You should be using DVI to DVI

Some DVI cables are digital, some analogue/digital. If the DVI cable is digital it will not support an analogue signal to the VGA input on the monitor

Digital Visual Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

would you suggest i just swap the mini display> DVI for a mini display> VGA?
that would eliminate the need for a dvi adaptor too
the cable to the monitor is a VGA
cheers
jack

A VGA signal is analog and much inferior to a digital signal (DVI). If at all possible, use the correct adapter and cable to obtain a digital input to the monitor.

i should also note that i am using a third party minidisplay port. just tried a minidisplay>VGA using a VGA cable to the monitor..still no joy. the monitor is not responding at all.

You may have a bad adapter. If you're going to buy another adapter, I suggest getting a MDP to DVI and a DVI cable to attach to your monitor. As I said above, VGA is analog only.

cheers for all your help mate. sorted now