How do I fix the video card/monitor display from blinking or flashing and causing programs to disappear?

I haven't had this problem till after I just reinstall windows xp pro about a month ago. Anyways, I notice this problem after running 3DS MAX 8 and when I rendered a frame the program would blink or jitter and the render window would disappear behind the actual program. Also when I clicked on the navigation bar drop down list the screen would do the same thing and the list would disappear until I rescrolled over it again and the list would somewhat reappear. Other programs like audacity would blink and flash reapeadetly while i was using it. This is the only really big probelms I have had and I have instaled the latest display drivers. Oh yeah I have an ati all in wonder 9800 pro and it is displaying at 60hz 1280 X 1024 and I am using NEC LCD1850X. I have the latest direct x 9c so I cant figure out what is the problem.