Software freeze when desktop refreshes

[Richard C.]

I am running XP Pro on my Toshiba Satellite A10-5WM laptop
(500MB RAM; 30GB HD; P4; harddrive has 75% freespace).

The icons or files on my desktop commonly 'refresh'
or 'rebuild' themselves. This happens either when I close
an open window/folder on my desktop or while I am working
in a particular piece of software. This normally isn't a
problem, however when I am working in ArcView GIS 3.2 the
software locks up and I lose my work, causing me undue
grief.

My desktop isn't littered with invisible files (I have
them visible at all times) and my machine is performing
efficiently in all other ways. I have the most basic
settings for my computer in terms of appearance (classic)
and folder settings (I do not show contents while dragging
etc..).

I previously had a technician fix this problem on a
different Sattelite laptop that I had and the problem
never reappeared. I just don't know what he did to fix the
problem, and I want this issue to disappear on my present
laptop.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

[Haggis]

go to control panel >system>advanced and set for " best performance" ..it
should turn off most of the auto refreshing