Vista - Application disruption from computer stand-by mode

I've been having quite a annoying time with this problem. Certain programs
such as, Microsoft Office Outlook and iTunes, have been malfunctioning after
my Vista Business running Lenovo T61 Thinkpad laptop goes into stand-by mode
while the programs are running. Outlook will be stuck in a interminable
"server update"with my email server; iTunes will simply stop working (typical
"program not responding").

I know that Vista in general has had some kinks in its system, but theres
got be a solution to this problem. Has anyone run into this same issue with
their systems?