Windows Explorer / blinking monitor problem

I have a couple of problems that I think might be related and was hoping someone could tell me what needs to be done.

Here is the situation: I recently purchased a new computer (second hand) and set about the usual process of formatting it, reinstalling Windows XP and copying my files over from my old computer.

This has all run fine until now. One of my folders, which contains .avi files, is not copying over. I put it on a USB drive (same method I used for other files) and whenever I try to copy it over I get the following message:

"Data Execution Prevention - Microsoft Windows
To help protect your computer, Windows has closed this program.
Name: Windows Explorer
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation"

There's then a 'close window' button. When I press this, a "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem & needs to close" message pops up.

If I try to run any of the video files in this folder from the USB drive, my computer slows right down and the monitor starts blinking, as in turning off and on.

I get this same monitor blinking problem whenever I try to run Pinnacle Studio 9. There aren't any error messages, the computer just slows down severely and the monitor flashes on and off. I find this puzzling since the same program ran just fine on my older, lower spec PC.

Can anybody offer any advice on dealing with this problem? I am stuck.

Thanks in advance.

 

So did you load the correct display card drivers? Have you set the monitor to a reasonably high frequency refresh rate (75Hz say)?

 

I believe so. It's a GeForce 6600 GT, so I went along to the nVidia website and looked to see what driver I should have installed. I uninstalled my current one and installed the one they recommended. I also increased the frequency refresh rate to 75Hz (it was at 60Hz).

The screen is still flashing on and off whenever I try to view any video files. The folder I mentioned above still crashes in the same way, Pinnacle Studio still runs really slow.

Also, I could be imagining it but I think my monitor is now giving me a headache.

Any other ideas?

 

What other programs are running when all this is going on? Have you run all the usual clean up programs as suggested in the stickies in the Malware forum?

 

Oh and I just came across this - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884130 -it mentions Pinnacle Studio