Windows 7 - No ext Monitor on start, Sleep, then Maximize error

Mods please move to the correct forum if it should not be here.

I've posted twice on two different errors and I finally realized that both were related.

Here is the info and sequence.

Sager NP8760 laptop w/ Windows 7 Pro, nVidia GeForce 285GTXM, Dell 24" Monitor on DVI

When I start up the computer, the laptop does not find the dell ext. monitor. However, everything displays correctly on the laptop screen. See errorimage01.

If I close the laptop and put it to sleep, then open it right after, it wakes and finds the external monitor. However, on maximize all programs display behind the locked taskbar. see errorimage02. In searching for answers I came across this thread but I think this was single monitor error.

bug: windows maximize behind taskbar

This is a recent happening and I can find no exact cause. As far as I know I am using the latest Video driver, but based on the above thread it was problem way before I started having it. Also having to put the computer to sleep in order to find the monitor is getting annoying.

Answers, suggestions?
Thanks

I wonder if this could be a video card bug. Try updating your graphics card drivers.