MX11 HDMI output not working?

Hello,

I recently purchased a 50 inch plasma tv from Samsung.  I tried hooking up my Alienware MX11 to the tv via an HDMI cable, but it wouldn't give me any picture or sound.  I played around with all kinds of settings and came to the conclusion the problem wasn't stemming from the TV or even a faulty cable, but the laptop.  I was able to get my dvd player working via that cable and the same TV.

I should note my OS is Windows 7 64 (don't know if MX11 comes in anything else). 

Here's what I've already tried to get it to work:

1) right clicked the desktop and went to "Screen Resolution" - seeing that the tv wasn't an option on the display list, I hit detect; no change.

2) tried rebooting the laptop with the HDMI cables plugged into the TV and computer and then when that didn't change anything I tried it without anything plugged in and connecting after the system loaded; no change.

3) tried the windows key+P function AND the FN + F1 function; still nothing.

I eventually managed to get the tv/laptop successfully connected, but it wasn't through HDMI, it was through the VGA port :(  I really don't want to have to use VGA when the option for HDMI is available to me. 

Either there is some settings I'm missing specific to HDMI settings that I can't seem to find, or is there something about MX11 that would prevent me from hooking this up to a TV?  Random google searches have been telling me it is possible to hook a laptop up to a TV... but nobody specifically mentions the MX11.  I figured this would be the best place to ask.

Appreciate any help you can provide.