Connect X1 Carbon to Lenovo external monitor via VGA

[benno]

Hi

New to the forum.

I have had weeks of trouble connecting a Lenovo 2323p external monitor to my X1 Carbon via the mini displayport. I have a Lenovo mini displayport to VGA adaptor. When I connect the two, the X1 screen changes to a lower resolution and decreases the screen width. The external Lenovo monitor doesn't recognise the connection and just drops into power saving mode within few seconds of adjusting the various menu options to try access the connection. I have tried all the ways of connecting the two including the F7 toggle and the options available through Windows 8.1 from the side menu.

Is the VGA adaptor what i should be using? I had to buy this separately through Lenovo as the adaptors that came in the new monitor box would not connect to the mini displayport.

Thanks
Benn