Best Screen Capture and Edit Software?

I have been trying for a few weeks now to save a project that Windows Movie Maker refuses to publish the 4 video clips used within it. I think its time I gave up ever seeing that project make it to life, which is frustrating as it plays perfectly in WMM preview screen, and the individual clips, play perfectly in Media Player. I am really gutted, as the content was really special to me. But there comes a point where you have to let go and walk away.

So as there seem to be some sort of issue with Hypercam and with Windows Movie Maker itself, I would like to know what is the best and easiest to use, screen capture programme, and then which is the best and easiest to use (I am not very computer literate) programme to publish the captured clips with.

It is so frustrating as Hypercam and Windows Movie Maker were both just about my level of user ability level.... point click to select the area to film, record and off you go. Then import, and drag to timeline, and add a fade in or out, and the odd effect, and publish. Simple. Gutted its all gone wrong for me.

Any recommendations seriously considered, as I am so done with my previous software.
Thanks.

I use sony vegas professional edition for my editing needs. Works very well and is easy to learn how to use it

Have you checked the output format you have selected in HyperCam? I always, always save uncompressed at 25fps in AVI format. Movie maker has limited amount of data it can store in memory while it works on editing. It is never meant to content with 'paid for' editing software.
I also use Sony Vegas for editing and pre-rendering work. Its all about what works for you. Workflow, budget, OS all come into play.

Can you supply the following information:
1) Size of each clip you are trying to render (mb).
2) Format of each clip that you have added to the project.
3) What output format you are looking to acheive.