M17x Dual monitor settings reset on device plugin

I have an M17x (I believe R1) with all the original factory equipment (haven't added/modified anything internally). The graphics card is a GeForce GTX 260M.

I have an Alienware OptX AW2210 monitor connected as an external monitor through the HDMI port. In the Screen Resolution Control Panel, I have the "Multiple Displays" option set to "Extend these displays".

Normally, the setup works perfectly. However, when I plug in any USB device or insert a media card into the built-in reader, the monitors reset to "Duplicate these displays". I keep having to go back to the Control Panel and change the setting back to "Extend these displays".

The driver information listed in the Device Manager is:

Driver Provider: NVIDIA

Driver Date: 6/27/2010

Driver Version: 8.17.12.5738

Looking at the Drivers & Downloads section, I think I have the right driver. The Drivers & Downloads section lists the current driver as 257.38 A03. I'm a little green in this area, but I believe the 2.5738 at the end of the Driver Version is the match to 257.38 (same numbers, decimal's in a different spot though).

Any thoughts on what is causing this to happen? Are my drivers actually out of date, and should I download and install the ones from the support site? Do I have something else going on?

If there's any additional information that I can provide, please let me know.

Thanks,

-Rich