"Can't read from or write to disk...." iPod error

I recently switched from my old PowerBook G4 (running Leopard 10.5.2) to a newer MacBook Pro (running Leopard 10.5.5). I migrated my account and permissions from the PB to the MacBook Pro, and everything is working just fine except for iTunes (version 8.0.2) and my older 160 GB iPod Classic (running 1.1.2).
NOTE: THE VERSION OF iTunes ON THE PB WAS VERSION 8.0.1.
Since the migration, I've been getting this "can't read from or write to disk..." error whenever I attempt to sync my iPod to iTunes. Previously, I'd never had any problems. I have tried to restore the iPod using iTunes - didn't work. I have tried different USB to dock connector cables - didn't work. I have even tried completely re-formatting the iPod using Disk Utility - didn't work. Everytime I begin syncing the iPod, it starts out just fine. At varying degrees of completion it ALWAYS fails with the same error.
I had an idea. I tried syncing the iPod to a different computer - my G5 4 x 2.5 GHz (running Leopard 10.5.5) with iTunes (version 8.0.2). I still got the same error. I haven't dropped it, submerged it in water or done anything to it that would otherwise compromise its functionality. So, I'm at a loss.
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
Does anyone have any other suggestions? - OTHER THAN BUYING A NEW IPOD

UPDATE:
OK, after the visit to my Genius Bar; I thought of a variable that wasn't previously considered. Because their transfer of media was successful without the slightest hitch, I had to figure out something else.
Everytime I had tried to sync the iPod with my various Macs, I was using the same process. Since all of my music and movies "live" on an external 500 GB drive, I was attempting to use that same drive whenever I would try to sync. It occurred to me that possibly the failing was in the drive and not the iPod.
I have part of that library on a Power Mac G4 867 DP (running 10.4.9). I updated the iTunes on that machine to 8.0.2, connected the iPod and made a successful transfer of a large amount of media!
My only problem now is that I can't figure out how to get the 500 GB drive to stop hanging on transfer and update of my Genius information. The drive just completely stalls and I get the spinning wheel from iTunes and the application ceases to respond. When I force quit iTunes, the drive recovers fine. I don't have any problems transferring data to and from it and Disk Utility reports that the drive is healthy.
I have tried re-installing iTunes on all affected Macs - didn't help. I believe my problem may exist in the iTunes Library file or in the associated .xml document. My only concern is that if I do a completely fresh install of iTunes where those files would be re-created, I would lose all of my play and ratings data as well as the information about when my files were added. On a related note, when playing the music from this drive through iTunes. I don't have any issues at all.
ANY SUGGESTIONS?

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You've got to be kidding me...
I'm trying to create a simple message service between
a server and J2ME client. But everytime I try to read
from DataInputStream (dis) i get Exceptioons. How
come? It works just fine to send messages to
OutputStream.What exceptions get thrown? What line numbers do they get thrown from? Do they always get thrown, or only in certain situations? Put your code in [code ] blocks (http://forum.java.sun.com/faq.jsp#messageformat, for Christ's sake, how many times do people need told to do that... it should just be written write on top of the page that you type your posts in... oh wait... IT IS!)

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"Can't read from or write to disk...." iPod error

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