Unable to display to second screen

I've read all the tutorials, I know how to select the second screen options, however, my Surface Pro and our Samsung Laptop both running Windows 8 cannot detect a second monitor/screen. We are connecting via the HDMI port, but it will not display no matter what option we choose nor whether we run it from the desktop or apps. Need help as this is what we use for work to display presentations for clients.

Did you try doing windows key + P ?

Monitor or TV? if its a TV you may have to switch the source on the TV to HDMI 1 or HDMI 2, etc, first.

Doe both those options

it is a TV. I've tried starting with the TV switched on HDMI, I've tried restarting the cpu while connected, connecting cpu after tv is on, after I turn on the tv, I've tried as many different options as possible. I just don't understand why two different cpus with Windows 8 can't connect to the tv through an HDMI port. Super frustrating.