I have a similar system with an ATIx300 pulled from a dell, my only difference is i only have a 27 Toshiba standard def tv connected via svideo. I will try an hook up a monitor as well on either Monday or Wednesday and see what happens. Do you have a dvd player with s-video out? If so try to hook it up with your adapter to the standard video in to rule out the cables, adapter and tv.
funny thing is my video card is out of my old dimension 4700. so i must have the same card as you, lol.