its not the ipod its the I tunes. I tried downloading a new version of I Tunes but after I download it it still says "would you like to down load verion7.71" every time I open itunes.
Ok your best choice is to start all over, go to control panel and remove itunes completely, then manually go to apple site and download the install file for itunes, once download install it, it may ask you to reboot, do that, once your pc is booted, open itunes, and wait follow the onscreen instructions, once everything is done, reconnect your ipod, make sure the usb cable is working, if you don't see the ipod, change to a different usb port, if you still don't see your ipod on itunes, On xp go to device manager, and look if you see the ipod with a yellow exclamation sign mean the ipod drivers are corrupted, just right click and choose uninstall,, unplug your ipod and plug it back in, and wait for windows to reinstall the drivers and that should fix your problem. Good Luck