iTunescan't locate files when iPOD is connected

[house06]

*deep breath*

I transferred my iTunes library to an external hard drive and wanted to relink my iPOD. I clicked "yes" for relinking and erasing all the songs on my iPOD since I had several new playlists anyway. But when my iPOD is connected, iTunes can't find any of the original files (shows exclamation point by song title). After having a mini nervous breakdown thinking that I lost my entire library, I closed everything and restarted the computer.

When my iPOD isn't attached, my library finds all the files just fine. Only when I attach it does it no longer locate the files. Then I have to disconnect it, restart my computer, and everything works again. I have reset and restored my iPOD but I'm hesitant to download iTunes 7.

Another interesting thing is that I can't even find any files on my external hard drive when my iPOD is connected. Is the iPOD somehow blocking out any access to my external drive and thereby not allowing iTunes to find the files?

Any help would be much appreciated. This problem has taken up my whole day!

[Ohio Trekker]

Sounds like a USB issue. Some folks have mentioned when they eject their iPod it will also eject their USB external drive or visa versa. Does your computer have a couple different USB locations, like front & back?

Sometimes they are bussed different and might cure the problem. You might also try changing the order you connect them like plug the iPod in first and than the drive or visa-versa. I'm sure there are other techniques but haven't followed them but present logically what may be your easiest "fix".