MTP mode is just going to add another layer of processing. I wouldn’t use that as a workaround.It shouldn’t be necessary.
And I don’t think it’s tags, because those slow down the Fuze itself, disconnected, not the computer. (BTW, your tags should be ID3v2.3 ISO-8859-1 (the ISO is just how Windows renders the alphabet). )
I’m not suggesting that you disconnect from the internet and turn off security every time you use the Fuze. The idea is just to troubleshoot your computer and rule out possible slowdowns–then, when you’ve identified a culprit, you can work on fixing it.
But take Tapeworm’s advice. Run an antivirus scan overnight (after you take that Advil). If for some crazy reason you do not have antivirus software installed–which is kind of suicidal–you can run an online scan from www.trendmicro.com or many of the other security software companies.
Another investigative method is to go back to that Processes list in Task Manager and Google those that are not obvious. One of them could well be a nasty. You’ll find a lot of boilerplate websites about processes, but use your common sense and you can figure out what’s legit. Also, take a look at the graphs in Task Manager. See if there are sudden spikes in processor use, and see if you can figure out when they were triggered.
What happens if you take the 32GB card out of the Fuze and just MSC stuff into its internal memory? Same slowdown?
Also, it may also be something as boring as the cord going bad. That might be why you are having Safely Remove trouble–if the connection is getting intermittently interrupted. You can get a new generic cord at Amazon or cellphone accessory companies for about $5 or less–the cord is the same for the Sansa E200 and the Fuze. (Although an Ipod cord looks similar and can be jammed in, it will fry the Fuze, so beware.)
But before you plunk down the $, I really think you should investigate the computer.
Because to my knowledge you are the first to complain about a computer slowdown–as opposed to a Fuze slowdown–I just doubt it is the Fuze, and if the card is legit it’s probably not the card either. I think it’s more likely to be some Windows problem.
If it is a Windows problem, there are some very helpful people out there, for instance:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/
http://www.techspot.com/vb/
I don’t work for SanDisk, and I’m not trying to fob you off on a third party and say SanDisk is perfect. Pragmatically I just don’t think the Fuze is at the core of the problem. Do you have a phone, camera, etc., that you could leave connected to the computer and see if the same thing happens?