Updating LARGE iTunes library ...

Hi folks

I keep my iTunes library (and associated files) and music folder together on an external hard drive so that I can access my music both at home (PC) and at work (Mac).

I have approaching 400GB of music, so every time iTunes decides to update my the library - for which I am never given a choice or warning - this becomes an extremely time-consuming task. I have just upgraded to Snow Leopard, which I assume is the reason my iTunes library is now updating again, despite there being no changes made to my configuration or additional music added since the last time I loaded the library (on OS 10.4).

Is there any way to speed up this process or skip it? It seems to be initiated every time there is some iTunes update and always take forever. This current update looks like it will take many many hours - it's at about 5% after an hour. It also seems like the process is taking far longer than it ever did on 10.4 - has anybody else noticed this?

I keep two copies of my .itl file, one that has been updated for my Mac and one for my PC. I generally do the following, if anybody has comments or suggestions to make:

0) All music and iTunes files are stored in a parent music directory on my external
1) Update iTunes library on the Mac
2) Duplicate it and all associated files
3) Open the Mac library on my PC, which initiates an automatic library update and creates a Windows version.
4) Duplicate that too - I now have two separate copies of the library, one for each OS to avoid having to update the library every single time I open it on a different platform.
5) Any new music I want to add I do on my Mac system, so the Mac library remains up to date while the Windows version falls behind until I decide to update it by opening the Mac library in Windows.

Basically, I'm looking for any insight into: 1) just what iTunes is updating, 2) why it takes so long (yes I realise 400GB is a LOT of music), 3) how I can improve the process or avoid it, and 4) better solutions to my current setup, given my desire to have my music in a single location but accessible to both my Mac and PC.

Many(!!) thanks

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