Error Code -36; I can't write to an external hard drive

I've Googled this extensively, but I haven't had any luck finding a solution. It's really frustrating.
I recently -- after a long time putting it off -- ran all the most recent software updates. Made my computer run a lot better, but now I'm having external hard drive issues. Perhaps the updates were unrelated, but it seems awfully coincidental.
When I try to transfer any large file (I've tried with a number of .avi's), I get 'Error Code -36.' Doesn't matter which hard drive I use (a Samsung 160Gb and a 1Tb Western Digital). Both are FAT-32, so they're readable on a PS3. Is the format the issue? Does my Mac now, for some reason, not like the PC format?
I hope I've given enough information. Any help would be unbelievably appreciated.

[General information on I/O error -36|http://fuzzy.wordpress.com/2006/12/10/ioerror-36>
[Error -36 reported when copying files to external drive|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8467699]
[Error -36 and filename characteristics|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9629287] - FAT drives may not like all Mac filenames
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8586572

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