Maybe this is the problem:

XL2000: PivotTable Updated Slowly with OLAP Data Source
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=237469


Jimbo wrote:
I have many pivot tables off a large database and they periodically freeze
when I refresh the data. Only solution is to crash out. Any ideas, comments,
solutions out there. The machine has been checked out OK. I work on a network
- checked out OK.


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html