Noob:Alarm...not alarming?

[itony]

I have searched and see that there are a couple of complaints about the stock alarm sucking but not much reasoning behind it.

So I am running stock sprint as of now atleast. And the last two mornings the darn thing hasn't even alarmed it just turns off the alarm at its appointed time and keeps on going. I set the time click ok and done and then click the power button to turn off the screen.
I tried testing it and when I do and get a little overeager and check it at that time or a minute or two over and click the screen on THATS when the alarm goes off...wtf

I just tried letting it turn the screen off by itself and setting the alarm...nada. Is this a known problem? Any fixes besides using a 3rd party software?

On another note, if you lock the screen is there anyway to make it so that you can just tap the screen and unlock as opposed to having to click the power button to turn on the screen first? For me atleast it seems redundant but I would rather touch to unlock then reach and click the top

Thanks