ITunes 10.6.3.25 is not syncing/freezes every time!

Question

Tech Stats:
Windows 7 (32-bit) on a Toshiba Notebook
32GB iPod Touch - purchased in April 2012
iTunes 10.6.3.25
I'm running iTunes 10.6.3.25 on Windows 7 (32-bit), trying to sync a 32GB iPod Touch. It detects the iPod and 'starts' the sync with the candy cane-striped bar, but then it freezes.
It generally varies between:
"Preparing to Sync"
"Determining tracks to sync"
"Backup"
"Checking Downloads"
"Waiting for sync to start"
"Waiting for changes to be applied"
before it freezes completely and/or won't do ANYTHING. I either have to Ctrl+Alt+Del to stop it (as it comes up 'Not Responding' in Windows Task Manager) or disconnect the iPod from the USB port altogether, whereupon iTunes starts to work again.
There is a VERY RARE occasion when it will start to sync music - 'Syncing music to "My iPod" (Step 5 of 5)', 'Copying 3 of 1233' - then freeze and show "Finishing sync" with the candy cane-striped bar moving for a LONG time, never stopping, and it's only synced a few songs (on one occasion, the max. number of synced songs was 33 out of over 1200). Space and capacity on the iPod is never an issue as I rarely have an iPod (any model) filled to capacity. I still have about 28GB of space left.
A couple of times while the candy cane bar is churning away, I've attempted to eject the iPod. Of course I was asked if I was sure I wanted to and I clicked 'yes', and it came up with a green scrolling bar that said 'Syncing iPod'. It kept scrolling forever with no end in sight. I ended up disconnecting the iPod.
I've tried each of these steps several times:
Rebooting my laptop.
Restarting iTunes.
Resetting my iPod.
Using different USB ports.
Using different USB cables.
Re-installing 10.6.3.25 without uninstalling it - Downloading it from Apple and choosing the 'Repair' option.
Using iTunes in Safe Mode.
Deleting and resetting sync history in iTunes.
Wi-Fi Sync.
Uninstalling iTunes and going back to an old version (10.5.3.3) - still couldn't sync.
Uninstalling ALL iTunes components as per these instructions: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923.
Re-installing 10.6.3.25.
My ABSOLUTE LAST, bottom-of-the-barrel option would be restoring my iPod completely. However, I AM apprehensive about doing this.
I've never had trouble with iTunes before. Only recently (10.6.3.25 and the version prior) did I have trouble syncing, where I connected the iPod and it took several clicks of the 'Sync' button before it would finish it completely without freezing or doing it 'piece-by-piece'. My Firewall settings have never had an impact on anything to do with iTunes.
I HAVE noticed, however, that every so often, my Anti-Virus program (McAfee) will come up with a red warning saying that my 'Real Time Scanning' has been turned off and that my computer is at risk. So I turn it back on again, but it doesn't make a difference to anything. Since I was infected with malware late last year, I don't want to risk getting something nasty again.
I DID, however, lose a few playlists from the current iTunes AND my iPod recently and got them back by following the instructions on this site: http://osxdaily.com/2010/12/07/itunes-playlists-disappeared-recover-missing-itun es-playlists/. I got my playlists back but then this whole drama started with not being able to sync at all.
I'm at my wit's end, I can't figure out what's going on and I don't know what to do next.
EVERYTHING else on the iPod is working flawlessly - games, apps, I even kept my iBooks! - but the problem with syncing is BEYOND me. I've been scouring the internet for days trying to find something that'll help me fix this problem but to no avail.
So please, PLEASE help me! I'm begging you, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hey thanks for replying.
Here's what I did:
First I tried the Winsock reset in the Command prompt. Nothing changed.
Next, I tried the instructions on http://http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4123. The only other program that came up on the 'Winsock Providers' tab on the program was 2 Windows Live applications, which I can do without. So I deleted all Windows Live Applications.
I did the Winsock reset in the Command Prompt again and rebooted my comp.
Unfortunately, nothing has changed. iTunes keeps freezing at various stages of the sync, then shows the candy cane-striped bar with either the words 'Finishing sync' or 'Cancelling sync', before showing the Apple logo.
Sometimes, iTunes gets to the syncing stage - "Copying # of ####" - where it will trudge through the first, second and third tracks before flashing "Copying 4 of ####" for a split second and I catch "Cancelling sync" briefly before the Apple logo appears.
Again, I've repeated the steps I mentioned in my previous post. Does ANYONE know when the new version of iTunes is set to be released?! This one is driving me INSANE, to say the least!!