If your iPod is out of warranty, and nothing on the Apple support web site helps (to fix your iPod), try the following…
1. Open you iPod. This is tricky, and it voids your warranty, so I won’t explain it here (it’s a liability thing).
2. Disconnect the battery and hard drive.
3. Reconnect your hard drive and battery.
4. Reassemble your iPod.
5. Reformat your (iPod) hard drive and restore your iPod settings.
Queue up the Hallelujah Chorus… It’s alive! IT’S ALIVE!
Cross my fingers, knock on wood, and all that… I just hope it keeps on goin’.