Dual View help, not retaining settings

Hi,

Issue is with my dual monitor setup.

Primary is XP Home SP2
Latest nvidia drivers (model escapes me currently) 256mb

Secondary is my LCD tv hooked up via a dvi to hdmi cable.

The dvi to hdmi cable goes from the computer into a hdmi switch, which allows me to switch between cable and computer on my tv.

The problem is that the secondary display doesn't always remain as active after I turn my tv off. When I turn my tv back on, I will have to go into display properties and choose to extend the desktop to the 2nd display.

Other times, it doesn't pick up the 2nd display unless I reboot my computer and I have the 2nd display showing on my tv. So even if I was to go into display properties the extend to 2nd display option isn't even showing.

If I dont do this and attempt to switch to dualview in nvidia control panel, there is no option for dualview, only clone, vertical and horizontal...all of which do not give me the resolution setting or functionality that I'm looking for but then do pickup the 2nd display.

1. Why isn't dual view an option in nvidia control panel
2. Why does the 2nd display become unrecognized
3. Why isn't there an option to extend monitor to 2nd display

I realize this is somewhat confusing, so please feel free to ask for any other details and I'll try my best to help.

Thank you

 

Thanks for the reply Steve.

The thing is it usually does keep the 2nd display as recognized, though there are times it's black, and I have to choose to extend to 2nd display option.

I guess Im more confused regarding the dualview setting in general. The only time I see that option in the nvidia control panel is if I have my 2nd display turned on and viewing it when I turn my computer on. Then I can see that the option is clearly DualView...however the other times when the 2nd display is NOT recognized and I enter nvidia control panel, the DualView setting is not an option..only clone, vertical and horizontal

Thanks again!