I have my iTunes library stored an external USB hard drive. When I try to update my iPod, iTunes freezes. Both my iPod and hard drive are plugged into USB ports.
Make sure that both your iPod and hard drive are plugged into USB 2.0 ports. If you’re using a Mac, try plugging your iPod into a FireWire port instead of USB. If you’re using a PC and don’t have two USB 2.0 ports, get a USB 2.0 hub and plug it into your computer, then plug both the iPod and the external hard drive into the USB hub.
Some computers with multiple USB ports have a combination of USB 1.0 and 2.0 ports, and 2.0 is significantly faster than 1.0. Both your hard drive and iPod are transferring large files back and forth, so they should both be plugged into a USB 2.0 port.
