Have you checked that your CD drive is working normally ? I assume it's not a USB socket issue.
While iTunes is generally hateful on a PC, I've had no performance issues with the older Version 7 -- maybe you can download an earlier version than you're having problems with.
Otherwise, as you are stuck with using iTunes with the latest iPods, take this as a warning of worse to come and cancel the order. Buy a player that works without control-freak proprietary software
I installed iTunes on my PC in anticipation of arrival of the iPod. Tried to import Cd's, took 5 hours to get 3 cd's uploaded. then no more. can only turn off iTunes through Task Manager, it even causes Internet Explorer to freeze. My PC has Pentium 4, 2.9 GHz, 2Gig RAM, 160 Gig hard drive. "Everyone else" has older computer with less power and has "almost no problems." I have installed, uninstalled (per apple instructions) and re-installed no less than 6 times, with no change.

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