Connecting iPod slows down computer, hangs iTunes

[sn0re]

When I connect the iPod to my computer, my computer (especially iTunes) becomes slow to non-responsive until I disconnect it. If I connect the iPod then start iTunes (isn't iTunes supposed to launch automatically?), iTunes takes a long time to connect and sync, during which time iTunes is completely non-responsive. After it's done syncing, it's still very slow to respond to clicks and my computer is slow generally. Unmounting the iPod also takes a very long time (>10s) and the iPod seems to be continually thrashing the disk until it returns to the menu. (I never see the "OK to Disconnect" screen.) After that iTunes and my system are completely normal. The iPod is completely fine otherwise apart from syncing, AFAICT.

I'm using a USB 2.0 PCI card (don't currently know the brand, not at home) and Windows 2000. When I use the USB 1.1 port on my motherboard (Shuttle AK31), I get the same problem. I doubt it's an issue of computer speed as my CPU isn't being maxed out. iPodService.exe does seem to be using a good amount of CPU time irrespective of anything iTunes is doing, even while iTunes is closed.

This is with the iTunes 4.9 and iPod firmware released 6-26.

[mgren]

I am now having this same problem. Used to work just fine, and I don't think I've made any system changes. I plug in the iPod, and if iTunes is running, it may recognize, but just hangs and hangs and hangs. iPod blinks "do not disconnect." Open task manager and it says itunes not responding, so I just shut it down from there, though it takes a few tries. Unplug the ipod even though it says not to, and thankfully still has all my data.

If I plug in the ipod when itunes is not yet running, it never launches successfully... but the computer just slows down.

I'm running a windows laptop, running on AC at the time, plenty of ram and hd space. P4 centrino chip. Like i said, used to work just fine, so I don't think it's system capability issue.

Help please?