Macbook Pro - VGA monitor compatibility?

Hi there,
I just bought a new MacBook Pro i5 to return to the Apple fold after many years of being forced to wander the Windows desert (with Linux oasis stops along the way) and I'm having a problem with external displays. I bought a Thunderbolt-VGA adapter and have an older VGA LCD monitor (NEC Multisync 1850e) that I'd like to use for an extended desktop. I also can borrow my wife's 21" Dell LCD display for testing. Here's what happens with BOTH monitors and both video cables regardless of the combination. I hook either one of them up to the Thunderbolt port via the adapter and both monitors go into powersave mode, as if they are not connected to anything. The Mac does NOT detect either of them, no matter what I do, reboot the Mac with the monitors connected, or connect the monitors after startup, no additional displays ever appear in the Display utility. And of course, both monitors work fine on both Windows machines that we have in the house. I have been unable to find a list of Thunderbolt compatible displays and wonder if these monitors are just too old for some reason (~5 yrs), but then SVGA is SVGA as a video format n'est pas? And yes, I have the latest software updates on 10.7.2 which included a Thunderbolt SW update that didn't help.
Any suggestions besides going to the Apple store and getting another Thunderbolt-VGA adapter which I'm going to do now?
TIA,
dr.odd

Is this a REAL Apple TB/Mini Displayport adapter?
I tried one of the aftermarket adapters, $7.00 cheaper, and it didn't work, Nothing/Nada.
Took it back and bought the Apple adapters, yes both VGA & DVI, and they both worked first time.
If you have REAL Apple adapter/s try going into Display properties and Detect Displays. Sorry I'm not at my Mac right now so I can't give youy detailed instructions but just start clicking on all options.
Funny part is MBPs, IMHO, don't handle external monitors well. When I connected my old work CRT monitor it detected it but could not get the resolution correct, at first. then there is no way to turn off the internal display without closing the lid, putting it into Clam Shell mode, but to do that you need to have a external keyboard, a mouse and the AC power connected.
Good Luck

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