Improve speed on hash table/linked list function and multi thread

I have a data structure that contains a linked list AND a hash table. Objects are stored in this data structure in both the linked list and the hash table. I am looking for three things: 1. Improve the existing, non-threaded, performance of the HashListContainer::Update() function. 2. Add a new function to perform the same functionality specifically targeted at 2 threads. HashListContainer::Update( int nthread = 2) 3. Add a new function to perform the same functionality for any number of threads 1,2,...64. The the hash table may be very sparsly populated so when updating I need to run through the linked list. The existing code in the Update function is: void HashListContainer::Update() { HashListObject^ Dummy = gcnew HashListObject(); HashListObject^ ball_prev; HashListObject^ ball = elements; ball_prev = Dummy; ball_prev->next_link = ball; while(ball != nullptr) { ball = Update(ball, ball_prev); ball_prev = ball; ball = ball->next_link; } elements = Dummy->next_link; } The complete classes and test program are attached. ## Deliverables 1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 2) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition. 3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement). ## Platform Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 C++ .NET Managed Code