Hi samuria...
I haven't given up on you! Just had a hectic couple of days - hope you don't give up on me

Right from your suggestions - safe mode - When I first went into safe mode the file actually opened and all the files had their old names. I tried to run one but after waiting for ages I went into task manager and guess what - 'would not respond' Then when I tried again the folder would not open back up (not responding) - just like before!

I have backed up all my pics onto my ipod now - I tried to copy 'Movie Clips' to a DVD disc - but it was taking ages! (6 hours plus) so I gave up!

So, yes back up to the good old cmd again! Right I copyed and pasted your commands but it said access denied?! Why is this? What's happening!!??

Oh gosh - it seems 1 step forward, 2 steps back at the moment

Strange right click on the folder choose properties then the security tab and who does it say has rights on the folder? We want everyone to have rights or the user you are logged in as must have full rights. If you have xp home you wont have a security tab so you will have to use the cmd line and type

cacls "C:\Users\Claire\Pictures\Movie Clips\Ella"

this shouldnt give errors
dir "C:\Users\Claire\Pictures\Movie Clips\Ella" > c:\pics.txt

so we need the file c:\pics.txt and the output from cacls or security properties

Does the folder simply stop responding/freezes. When you try to close it do you have to "End process now". If so I suspect a thumbnail problem. These sorts of things normally occur when using P2P programs and trying to access the download folder before the file is completed.
Can't remember how to disable thumbnails off hand but someone more knowledgeable will tell you I'm sure

Good Morning,
Right in Properties\Security everything is 'Allowed' except 'Special Permisssions' for the original folder and the c:\pics folder. I cannot seem to alter special permissions as it is 'greyed out' - would this be the problem? I put in your new commands but it said Access denied again The calcs command did give me a bit of text - would it help for me to copy that for you?

TechnoHippy - thanks for your input - and yes what you describe is what is happening - basicallly I think what went wrong is there are 2 files in the folder with exactly the same name as the prompt to name the 2nd file (2) didn't work because of a crash - and now maybe this is why the folder will not respond? If anyone knows anything about your suggestion please let me know!

Gosh - thanks so much for everyone's help so far - I really don't want to give up on all these Movie Clips

Well if it's duplicate filenames then this may not help but it's worth a go.
Annoyances.org - Stop Windows from saving the thumbnail cache (THUMBS.DB)
If it doesn't help you can always change it back.

Forgot to say. When you disable thumbnails it may still be necassary to delete the thumbs.db file.
Start->Run->cmd
del c:\pics\*.db
Now go back to windows and right click the folder. Select the Customize tab. In the pulldown menu select Documents and click apply. Now see if you can access the c:\pics folder.

OR

As proven earlier you can copy the files via cmd. Do you happen to know the names of your files or the names of the [possible] duplicate file. If so we can move/copy some of them to another folder. Are there pictures and videos? Do you know what file format e.g. .jpg .mp4 .bmp .avi etc