SD 2.6.1 stops randomly

[mhmertens]

Leo 10.5.8, SD 2.6.1
Smart upd to image on ext disk (FW800 or 400). 1.2 mio files in total.

SD stops for no clear reason. Last 2 commands from log after having evaluated approx 100 000 files.
| 02:26:26 PM | Info | Ignoring /Desktop DF
| 02:26:26 PM | Info | /Previous Systems.localized

Stopping means that even after an hour there is no progress at all.

Finder reactions are terribly slow in this state. (slow means I have to wait for 10-15 mins before something reacts)
SD reactions as well slow but just about bearable.

External drive encl (brand=Pleiades) has Oxford chipset (so should be the best there is)

Finder and SD appear in the force quit dialog as 'not responding' but I know they may well still be working on whatever.

This is a reproducible problem.

How do I go on to debug this further? Any help much appreciated.

Regards

mHm