Long sync damaging my iPad?

Question

I've had troubles syncing my iPad to my XP comp since the beginning, but lately he seems to have taken the tendency to take hours to preform the first step of the sync. There are anywhere between 3 and 6 steps when I sync up (depending on what I've added/changed), but always the first one is "Backing up". This is the one that can easily take over an hour to complete, the other ones usually last minutes if not seconds (unless I add a good couple hundred songs/pictures, which I don't really do anymore).
Now, usually I just press the little X in the top part of the window next to the sync progress bar, this seems to skip the backup and move onto the actual transfer of information (making the sync considerably faster, if a little broken). Every now and then I can set aside a few hours to let him do his thing in it's entirety, but lately I've gotten to thinking... These problems are undoubtedly due to my computer being too old, but is it possible that I may be damaging my iPad somehow with these super long syncs? I'm not sure why, but the screen stays on while it's syncing, and the whole computer looks like it's running pretty hard (the Hard Drive spins non-stop during the process).
If my computer ups and dies it's not going to be a big deal (it was given to me, I never even payed anything for it). But all in all I've invested over 900$ into my Pad, and if there's any chance that this is damaging it I'd like to know. If it means going without any new apps or songs until I get my next computer, I can live with that.

Answer 1

HI,
like it's running pretty hard (the Hard Drive spins non-stop during the process).
Not a good sign. Sounds more like a problem with the computer then anything else.
Try Disk Cleanup.
Start / Programs / Accessories / System Files / Disk Cleanup
Restart your computer after Disk Cleanup is finished.
Make sure there is enough free space on your computer's hard drive, instructions here.
CHECK FREE SPACE ON WINDOWS XP
Not sure if the long sync time can damage your iPad, but as you mentioned you have invested over $900.
Best to invest in a new computer as soon as it's feasible. If you purchase a new computer make sure and Deauthorize the old one. From the iTunes menu bar click: Store/Deauthorize This Computer...
iPad iPad Tech Specs
Windows system requirements: PC with USB 2.0 port
Windows 7; Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
iTunes 9.1 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
iTunes Store account
Internet access
Carolyn