Icons/File display error until restart

Hi,
This is my first post here. Forgive me if this has already been discussed but I haven't found this exact problem in a search of this site or even a Google search.
I filled in my specs so hopefully that will help anyone that wants to give this a try.

Basically, After my PC has been running for a certain amount of time (anywhere from a few hours to a few days) my folders no longer load/display the items inside correctly until I restart. I either get a completely blank folder where I know there are files, or I can see the files but the icons don't display. For instance, I am currently experiencing this, and in my "my documents" folder, some of the folder shortcuts show NO icon at all, just the blank placeholder and the text under it, and some just show a plain folder. When things are working correctly, each folder displays, usually showing media that is inside that folder or some type of specific icon.

One thing that is common once this problem begins happening is the green loading bar that runs across the top of the folder window becomes slower the further to the right it goes, and never makes it all the way to the right. It slows and stops at about 95%.

This error is NOT present when I am looking at a folder through a program. For instance, if I go into Adobe Photoshop, then "Open," and then browse to My Documents, All of the foldrs in that "open" windows display correctly. Everything appears as normal in folders in this view, as opposed to nothing appearing if I open it in windows explorer.

Here are some screenshots illustrating my problem.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
Here is a view of My Documents through Adobe Photoshop's "open" command.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
Here is a view of My Documents through Windows Explorer.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
Finally here is a view of the FreeCorder folder where there ARE items stored, but nothing appears due to this error.

Again, all i have to do is restart and everything will be fine again for a while. Then some magical trigger is executed (I have no idea what that trigger is) and things go funky like this.
I DO put my computer on stand-by frequently, but that doesn't seem to be THE trigger, as it has come out of stand-by performing normally.

This isn't the worst problem anyone could have with a computer, but it's certainly irritating and I'd appreciate any help anyone can offer!! :)

scan for a virus

Well, don't I feel like a goober.
I could swear I've run several full virus scans since this problem evolved, but maybe not, as I did run a McAfee scan after your recommendation, it did find some items, and the problem disappeared. Fail, lol! Thanks Mourning Star.