What is wrong with Vista and video drivers?

I have installed various versions of the nvidia driver for the 8800gts many times and the same problem occurs each time. If I can set the resolutions I need (not possible on all driver versions), they are gone next time I boot vista. My target is 1920x1440 for the display, and 1920x1080 for the HDTV. I have been able to set the resolutions correctly many times, but only for a day or so, and then on reboot the system resets them down to a lower value. I am unable to reset them. My monitor is stuck again at 1600x1200, and the HDTV mode is 720P. I know all about the advanced settings, show all modes, driver cleaner, etc. etc. I see no point in trying any more drivers, and this is all tech support can suggest. There is something fundamentally wrong with Vista or the way the driver is programmed to interact with the system. I'm currently on 177.83.

I use the same hardware on XP, in a dual boot configuration, and the resolutions are correct and stable.