Preparing to sync

Hi, I've an iphone 3gs 16gb model.
It has the latest 5.0.1 OS on it and I'm using the latest version 10.5.2.11 iTunes version. I run iTunes on a Windows PC running Windows Vista Enterprise with Service Pack 2 installed.
I also use MS Outlook 2007 on the windows PC as my main calendar and notes and contacts manager
I have in the past (up to a few days ago) synced my outlook calendar, contacts and notes to my iphone - I dont sync photos (yet)
To get this to work I previously had to delete the previous backup in iTunes, Reset the sync History, and Rest Warning and Reset Cache.....this would then usually work....things would sync up ok.
Now I find the dreaded "Step 3 of 6, preparing to sync" and it'll sit there forever....eventually I'll pull the iphone and end up using Task Manager to end the non-responsive itunes.
In the past I've tried re-installs of itunes and all the other apple software...and this will maybe work once or twice...then same as above.
I've also tried deleting the contents of the itunes folder in \users\name\appdata\apple computer\...............
The only things I've done recently is remove a few apps in itunes and removed a few apps on the actual iphone itself
 ......would this cause the sync to get itself in knots now ???? 
Any suggestions to how I might fix my issues and get it beyond Step 3 ??????
I've also run the sync test in ituns and it comes back as sucessful with the following info;
Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 6002)
Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq 6530b (NA407UC#ABU)
iTunes 10.5.2.11
QuickTime not available
FairPlay 1.13.37
Apple Application Support 2.1.6
iPod Updater Library 10.0d2
CD Driver 2.2.0.1
CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1
Apple Mobile Device 4.0.0.97
Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.57.0.0
Bonjour 3.0.0.10 (333.10)
Gracenote SDK 1.9.5.502
Gracenote MusicID 1.9.5.115
Gracenote Submit 1.9.5.143
Gracenote DSP 1.9.5.45
iTunes Serial Number 00CAB26403F292B0
Current user is an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2011-12-15 17:35:08.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.
WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.
HDCP is not supported.
Core Media is supported.
Video Display Information
Intel Corporation, Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Intel Corporation, Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
**** External Plug-ins Information ****
No external plug-ins installed.
iPodService 10.5.2.11 is currently running.
iTunesHelper 10.5.2.11 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device service 3.3.0.0 is currently running.
**** Device Sync Tests ****
Sync tests completed successfully.
Thanks for any help !
Eric.

Ok...seems kicking his butt got him to see some sense.
Ended up using "end" in task manager to kill off itunes.
Powered off/on the iphone by holding top and menu buttons together for 5 or 6 seconds.
In windows file explorer in c:\Users\yourname\AppData\local\Apple Computer\Itunes  there was two file there that have been modified today....they were
iPodDevices.xml    and
iTunesPrefs.xml
I deleted both of these files.
In itunes preferences I deleted the backup and clicked on the reset sync history, reset warning and reset cache buttons.
I left ituns running on the pc and the front/active window so I could watch it.
I had the iphone "asleep" or dark or whatever you call it....I attached the sync cable.
itunes quickly "saw" the iphone...ran through its stuff...completed the backup and then synced up calendar, contacts, notes, photos etc .....all worked ok....yippee.....my device and software are doing what they're suppose to do..........brilliant..........hey hang on...isnt software suppose to work in the first place ???
Next time I'll be back in OCD mode and will be trying the above sequence before i connect the iphone.
Wouldnt it be great if some apple person were to reply to this thread and actually INFORM people what to do.....wouldnt that be amazing ?????????????
About 1996 to 1998 I worked as an IT/Network guy at an american corporate...they were a big apple mac site....the standard respons when you were having "issues" was to re-install the software and then if that didnt work re-install the operating system..........isnt it great to see some things never change.....................
My thought for the day !!!
Eric.

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