connecting inspiron 600m to toshibha vcr/dvd combo

hi
i have aproblem in connecting my laptop inspiron 600m to the toshibha T.V.sometimes i can see the display on the TV but some times not at all.actually the problem is with the enabling of the TV in the display properties.i have connected the TV and the notebook with a S-cable and go to the properties to change the diplay properties to enable the TV but it is allways disabled.i try many ways and in different ways to make it enabled but it doesnt.i switch the T.V on/off often i reboot and try in all sorts of way in pressing the FN+F8 key but of no use.i get frustrated.sometimes as soon as i connect it the power icon on the tv in the dispaly properties gets enabled and i can see teh display on the T.V.i dont understand this involuntary action.coould some one please help me in fixing this.
i am missing a lot to be viewed on TV from my notebook.
thanks