dual monitor troubles

[The Terk]

i just sold my desktop and am left with my laptop and my monitor, so i thought y not make a dual monitor setup?

Few quick questions:
1) my laptop is at 1024x768 @ 60hz, so does my second monitor need to be atleast at 60hz also?
2) i have noticed flickering in the monitor, would the reason for it be the refresh rate, or some other factor?
3) i have noticed that the system is very sluggish now, is there a way to optimize it so it runs smoother

Dell Inspiron 5100
p4 2.4ghz
256 ddr 2700 (maybe?)
30gig hdd
ati 7500c mobility radeon

any advice would be great! TY in advance

[Peter M]

The Radeon 7500 can do dual screen with independent resolutions, color depths and refresh rates. So your attached CRT does not need to run at the same parameters as the notebook's internal panel.

[butch81385]

changing the RR should also help with #2. but for #3 i am at a loss as to why its slowing it down..shouldnt be that noticeable...

[sechs]

The secondary monitor may not be hardware accelerated. This can cause it to be sluggish if you're doing something that has some graphics to it.