Graphic Interface breaks up, leaves trails and disappears--longstanding problem!

I have been troubleshooting for several months trying to find the source of multiple problems. Most recently, after asking in this forum, it was suggested it might be malware and I was directed to the Malware Forum. In the Malware Forum, I worked through the entire Windows XP Cleanup Procedure, which cleaned up several issues. BigArrick confirmed that the computer does not have any malware and said, “Your logs are clean and the problems you are explaining are not malware related. At this point, I would recommend you posting all of your current issues in the Software Forum.”


HERE IS THE THUMBNAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE REMAINING ISSUES:

The graphic interface frequently breaks up, or disappears. Windows leave a trail when I move them. Icons disappear when I open any window. The computer stalls when I input any data online or open any app or window.

Since running the Windows XP Cleanup Procedure, I am unable to backup my data. I ordinarily back up to an external hard drive using Norton Ghost. My computer is no longer recognizing the external drive. The computer makes a “bong” sound when I turn the external drive on but when I look in “My Computer,” no icon appears for the drive.
The computer does recognize other external devices such as printers, microphones and flash drives.



HERE IS THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REMAINING ISSUES:

This computer running Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 was built for me 2 years ago especially for graphic work. It used to run very fast but several months ago it became e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y slow and the graphic interfaces frequently breaks up or disappears entirely from my desktop. For example…

I have 2 internal hard drives. The windows system and all other programs are installed on Drive C. I store all my text, graphic and video files on internal Drive F. When I try to access Drive F, it takes at least one minute for the F Drive window to open. It takes another 30 seconds for the icons to appear in that window. During this time, all my desktop icons disappear, and only reappear after the F drive window has appeared.

When I open Firefox, all the icons disappear from my desktop for a few seconds and only begin reappearing after Firefox has loaded. When Firefox begins to open, its window is blank. It takes at least 30 seconds for any of the graphic interface to begin appearing.

When I perform a function like saving a file, even just a small Word doc, all the icons disappear from the monitor and take anywhere from 10 seconds to 1 or 2 minutes to start reappearing.

When I drag windows from one monitor to another, or even just across the surface of the main monitor, the image breaks up and leaves a “trail” of multiple images of itself. The computer frequently stalls for 30 seconds or longer in the middle of this.

When I go to the START and click on “all programs” it takes a full 30 seconds or longer before the program menu appears.

Anytime I input information online, the computer takes many long pauses. When I have to input my name, for instance, I can type 4 letters, then the computer pauses for a full 30-seconds, sometime longer, before I can type the rest of my name. I have noticed that the Avast “A” icon on the toolbar always starts spinning as soon as I can type again, so I suspected a problem with Avast. However, I tried working on a friend’s computer that also runs Avast and had no such problems. I also suspected a browser add-on might be the problem so I uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it with NO add-ons. That did not help.

Last week, I noticed that the red LED light that usually blinks when I’m switching between drives was not coming on. Thinking this might mean a drive is falling, I went to the Western Digital site and downloaded their diagnostic tool for my 2 WD drives. The diagnostic said Drive C is “Pass.” When I select the other drive, Drive F, the diagnostic tool says “Not available.” If I tell it to run the diagnostic program on that drive, the computer crashes. These drives are still under warranty by Western Digital, so I wrote their tech support and asked them to tell me what my experience with the diagnostic tool means. After 2 weeks, I have not received a reply from them.

I asked about the hard drives in the hardware section of the Major Geeks forum and it was suggested that the multiple problems sounded more like malware, but as I stated, BigArrick confirmed there is no malware.

Over the last 2 months I have done this:
Replaced the mouse twice in case it was a problem with the input device.
Uninstalled every piece of software I can live without.
Uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox and removed all add-ons.
Completed the Windows XP Cleanup Procedure, and verified through BigArrick that there is no malware.

I can attach a current Belarc report showing my system and software information if needed.

Any advice will be very much appreciated!

 

I'm adding a screenshot that shows what happens when I perform any function such as opening any new window, whether it's a document, a browser or anything else, or moving from internal hard drive c to internal hard drive f--all the desktop icons disappear, the new window is blank and everything comes to a halt for anywhere from 3 seconds to 30 seconds.

I've asked about this in the hardware forum, the malware forum and now here in the software forum. I can't believe it! There's not a single geek here MAJOR enough to sleuth this problem?

 

Thanks for your suggestions. I have..
1) previously uninstalled all but the most necessary programs and removed anything nonessential from the start-up menu while I was doing the Windows Clean-up in the Malware forum.
2)updated the driver for the NVIDIA graphic card. I haven't noticed any change.
3) tried booting up in safe mode to see if there was still staggering/ghosting with the basic GUI. I use dual monitors. When I booted in safe mode, the same desktop was displayed on both monitors. When I opened word, the same word file was displayed on each monitor. Because I was not able to pull a window from one monitor to another, I was not able to tell if there was still staggering/ghosting. Ordinarily, with regular start-up, staggering/ghosting sometimes occurs while moving windows around on the main monitor, but almost always occurs while moving windows from one monitor to another.
4)I was unable to run the Repair Install using my original discs. When I tried to run Repair Install, I received a message saying it would not be allowed because the windows version on the computer is newer than the version on the disc. The disc contains Windows XP with service pack 1. My computer is updated to service pack 3. I searched every subject I could think of at the MS Knowledge Base but was unable to find information on how to run repair install after downloading service packs.
5)I have not tried to run System File Checker: sfc/ scannow because your directions state “You must have a valid copy of your Windows service pack (SP) revision level for this to work properly.” I have not been able to find anyone I can borrow an updated disc from. Is there any other way around this?
6)A current Belarc report is attached.Seems a little hard to read in Notepad but it's too large a file to attach when formatted in word. If you prefer to work from it in Word, with columns, I can post it to a web site for download.
7)The Belarc report notes 4 security fixes from windows are missing, but when I try to download those fixes, Microsoft blocks me from doing so, saying "These files have been previously installed." Again, I find nothing in the MS Knowledge Base explaining what to do about this.
8)And to recap, main problems at this point are
*ghosting/staggering of windows
*windows go blank, window title bars disappear and all icons disappear as I open and close windows
*inputing any data on the internet, such as opt-in forms, online email apps and this forum is extremely slow as it is interrupted by long moments of inactivity.
I await your orders, mon capitáns!

 

I'm still stuck on trying to work through the expert' advice. Can anyone tell me how to run the Repair Install for Windows and run the System File Checker with these details in mind:
4)I was unable to run the Repair Install using my original discs. When I tried to run Repair Install, I received a message saying it would not be allowed because the windows version on the computer is newer than the version on the disc. The disc contains Windows XP with service pack 1. My computer is updated to service pack 3. I searched every subject I could think of at the MS Knowledge Base but was unable to find information on how to run repair install after downloading service packs.
5)I have not tried to run System File Checker: sfc/ scannow because your directions state “You must have a valid copy of your Windows service pack (SP) revision level for this to work properly.” I have not been able to find anyone I can borrow an updated disc from. Is there any other way around this?

 

you can do a slipstream of your original cd:
http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-installation-cd
it will update your original to include sp3
you might have to do this on another computer, if your current one is giving you fits.

with the new cd you might be able to do those other things now.