I am baffled with relentless copies of data?

I'm not sure how to explain this, but it is driving me totally wild. Problem is that I have way too many folders nestled within other folders. In an attempt to simplify things I am trying to send each data and image file into single folders.

Not explaining it well, but here are the symptoms:
Example" Let's say data file abc is present, along with a copy of abc. As soon as I delete the copy, or try to stick it into a folder with the original, either way another copy springs up almost immediately. So....... I can end up with copy 4 of abc and so on to an infinite number of copies springing forth.

I guess it is something I must have done at some point but now I have no clue.

Can anyone here tell me if even vaguely sounds like something you have heard or seen before?

 

See this link, see if its the method of moving is causing the copies.

http://www.tutorials-win.com/SupportXP/Jpegs-replicating/

Only other I can think of is file protection software installed, virus or setting in XP I'm not aware of.

 

I've seen similar behavior when any desktop icon is clicked on, it makes a copy of itself and doesn't open. You can end up with 100's of copies of the same shortcut. This behavior has been caused by a virus, or a messed up Windows. Try Dial-a-Fix (link: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4899.html) and check everything in the Registration Center and click Go. Then reboot. If that doesn't help, try running the system file checker. Insert your XP install CD in the CD/DVD drive. Click Start > Run and type cmd and press Enter. In the black window, type sfc /purgecache and press Enter. Wait 'til it's done (maybe a minute or two). Then type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This can take some time so be patient. Note the space before the "/" in the commands. If you have 2 CD/DVD drives and you keep getting a pop up saying to insert your Windows CD, move the disc to the other CD drive and click Try Again. If you continue to get this window popping up, just keep clicking Try Again. It will eventually continue. Then reboot when it finishes. If this still doesn't help, visit this link and follow the steps EXACTLY! http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407