Unable to drag any content to 2nd display monitor

iMac 2011. Mavericks 10.9.5

I have connected the 2nd monitor to the iMac with a newly purchased mini display port to VGA adaptor. The cursor shows up on the 2nd monitor but I am not able to drag any open document or file or any content whatsoever from the iMac onto the 2nd monitor. I have tried resizing the size of the content as the 2nd monitor is smaller than the imac screen but no luck and yet the cursor is able to move freely between the two displays. I have tried playing with all the settings in 'Display' but still no luck. There is a wall paper and a tool bar display on the 2nd monitor and the cursor shows up as previously stated but I cannot drag content oAny suggestions?