Updating Issue: Backups suck...

I have a 3.1.3 version iTouch 8GB, 3G (I think), and I am having an awful time trying to update. When I attempt to update to the new 4.2, it askes me first about transfering my apps to the PC. So I do that. Then it allows me to proceed onto downloading the package for version. It finishs that. Finally O reach my big problem; then it does a back-up. I work wirelessly normally, but then the back-up takes about 5 hours (at LEAST!). So I tried switching to cabled network, which was said to go 6 to 7% faster (Yay). All is going quite well, I finish up some work and get back after an hour to see that the back-up is almost half done. So I get back to finishing up all the work I had, which took about another half an hour, and I check back; the back-up is still where it was. This back-up buisness is really annoying, and iTunes needs a fix on it! I'm attempting to back-up as I type this, and checking... it's been about 10 minutes and my progress is only about 1/8. I HATE THESE BACK-UPS! Can anyone PLEASE help me? :c