Windows 7: programs list do not show / screen res Low

After setting up a new install of Windows 7 Professional 64bit on a Samsung laptop (previously had home premium installed). I am having these issues that I am not sure of how to resolve:

1) when clicking on the start button the programs screen pops open but NO recent programs or pinned programs show up in the list without going to ALL Programs.

2) Laptop monitor and 20" LCD Desktop monitor both are running and the neither one will go above 1366 x 768 resolution setting. I have reinstall the latest Nvidia Gforce drivers with no change.

appreciate any suggestions on these.

1) Right click on empty space on Start menu - Settings - Start Menu tab - Privacy section - Store and display recently opened programs in Start menu.

2) Every video card has certain maximum output performance capabilities.
With every extra video monitor added, video card has to split it's performance capabilities among them.
If maximum performance is X, then for two monitors - x/2 for each (2 times less), for 3 monitors - x/3 each (3 times less).

If you want to get it working, you can use option External monitor only / Projector only, (you laptop monitor would be shutdown and external monitor will get all the "power" of your videocard).

Thanks Neutron, I did try want you suggested for the monitors and yes that did help it took me up to a 1440 x 900 resolution. I am surprised it does not go up to 1600ish.

Before my post I had already checked all the setting to customize the start menu and that does not seem to have done anything.

Plus it appears that you can no longer do a right click on a program and "pin to start menu"

thanks I will keep seraching to see what is going on with the start menu list of programs.

What tweaks/modifications have you made?
Also have you ran CCleaner? If so that can mess up the start menu until you reboot.

You can get a trial version of AIDA64 here.
In the main window choose Display section - Video Modes.
And check if your 1600ish is there.