I am running a dual-monitor setup on Windows 8 with an Intel HD 2500 graphics card (driver 10.18.10.3379). I run one monitor out of the VGA port and the other from the HDMI port.
All is well until the computer goes to sleep or I shut down, at which point only the VGA port will awaken (regardless of which of the two monitors is connected to it). If, however, I pull the VGA plug from the computer before awakening, the HDMI-connected monitor will turn on, and then I can plug in the VGA plug and get the dual-setup working.
It seems that the HDMI port will not turn on unless the GPU sees there is no monitor connected through the VGA. If that is the issue, is there any way to "force" the HDMI to life?