Windows modding and the ipod nano 2g

Hey!
Im currently running a windows xp sp2 partition on my machine solely for the purpose of my new ipod nano 2g.
Im using itunes to manage the music as well.

My machine is an amd athlon xp2800+ with 756 ram.

The problem is that i can only get a reliable proper ipod experience if i use VANILLA windows xp..

What i am trying to say is that i was using the tango shell patch and the uxtheme.dll patch to allow me to have a slick looking desktop using tango icons and the windows visual style port of lokheeds tempura gtk.. but this would result in itune lockups and points where i couldnt as much as update my ipod let alone restore it.

The second i reinstall everything and leave my windows os completely unmodded i get a flawless relationshi between my ipod and my itunes.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Thanks in advance.. sorry im so long winded
zen