Folder and file names not showing

Laugh at me for using Windows XP if you must, but here's my problem: half my folders I view with the content as thumbnails are no longer allowing me to see the names of folders and files, unless I switch to a different view. This makes it hard to find folders without specific images in them.
As far as I know there's no reason for this and no obvious option to click to bring them back, and it's impossible to find the answer through Google (if there is one).

Any ideas? The only hint I have is that the most recent one got that way by popping up while I was typing.

   I suspect your copy of XP may be corrupt. I'd suggest saving any important files and preparing for a reinstall. You might have a repair option so check Microsoft's site too.

Something must've gotten fucked up somehow.  I agree with anon, I'd backup and do a reinstall.  Remember that most programs/games/utils/etc. can't be transferred between installs, they have to be reinstalled.

   If it helps put it in perspective I had a surprise a few days back. I did a clean install, added a firewall and AV app and took all the Windows updates.
   Some profile and DNS issues bugged me enough to install RegMedic to diagnose any problems. RegMedic found 172 irregularities on what in principle should have been a virgin box.
   If your install is several months or even years old it may have thousands of odd bits of bad code scattered about. They catch up with you in time so always have redundant backups.

>>1
Ok, so you use Windows XP. But why the heck are you using Explorer? Get a decent file manager. Like FAR.

HAHAHAHAHAHA WINDOWS XP HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA