IPod Restore did not fix issue...can't update iPod

Question

Apologies for posting this as a "reply" earlier in the night...I'm new to this online help forum thingy. It truly belongs here as a "question," so here goes:
I have used my iPod without issue for over a year. Suddenly, I have encountered some freakish problems. The iPod connects to iTunes, but nothing happens after that (no transfer of songs...just freezes in "Do Not Disconnect" mode). I have taken the following steps today:
1) Tried resetting iPod. No dice.
2) Downloaded new 2006-03-23 updater.
3) Downloaded new v6.04 iTunes.
4) Uninstalled iTunes v6.03 and restarted PC, as prompted.
5) Installed new 2006-03-23 updater and restarted PC, as prompted.
6) Installed iTunes v6.04 and restarted PC, as prompted.
7) Shut down iTunes.
8) Ran Updater...performed "Restore." (The "Update" button was greyed out and has been ever since I installed the new Updater 2006-03-23).
9) Connected to iTunes...began updating songs, left PC to let it download the 3000+ songs while I ate dinner, etc. Left during the transfer of song #13 of 3000+.
10) Came back to an error message that I don't recall.
11) Closed iTunes, re-ran Updater.
12) Tried iTunes again...iPod showed up, but was given the error message "The iPod could not be updated. The disk could not be read from or written to."
13) Disconnected and reconnected; tried all other firewire ports. No dice. Firewire card in PC is functional.
14) Received this error message: "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPod. Use the iPod Software Updater application to restore the iPod to factory settings."
15) Closed iTunes and re-ran Updater. Again.
16) Opened iTunes. No dice. Again. This time, it didn't even prompt me to customize the name of my iPod...it just connected to iTunes and sat there with the default name "IPOD." Nothing happened for several minutes, so I ejected the iPod via iTunes.
17) Tried Disk Mode. Nothing.
On the bright side, the iPod is now fully charged...it seems the power aspect is working and there is some data transfer capability. Nothing else is wrong with the PC...I have encountered no other usability issues...I run AdAware, Spybot, and have the full McAfee Suite (all updated with the latest detection/definition files). Running Win XP Pro and using U2 Spec. Ed. iPod.
I quit for the night, but tomorrow is a new day. Help!!!

Answer 1

Thanks...forgot about the anti-virus/firewall angle. That was helpful because it allowed me to rule out the possibility of those security programs interfering with any Apple program components.
Uninstalled iTunes and the iPod Updater...reinstalled with firewall and antivirus disabled. Restored iPod with firewall and antivirus disabled. Then tried syncing the iPod with iTunes...still had issues.
Restored again in disk mode with antivirus and firewall disabled (modem off the whole time, of course). The update quit on song #1777 out of 3600+. Still not working properly. Aaaargggh!!! I'm thinking a trip to the Genius Bar is in order if I can't get a resolution here...problem is, the Apple store is a half hour away. Any other thoughts?