XP Pro Desktop Icons Refresh

My XP Pro desktop icons intermittently refresh automatically-usually when I am using a function involving explorer. Ocassionally, it locks up too. I have done all the standard things like check for viruses and worms and ran a repair scan on windows core files -all to no avail. Also (since I think I know where this is all heading), is there anyway to pick off the Windows XP files from restore disks? Unfortuantely, my computer came preloaded with windows and I only have these restore disks.