IPod won't connect to iTunes..have tried it all

Question

Ok...so a few days ago I plugged my Ipod 160gb classic into my computer to sync to Itunes. Itunes then froze up, so after I ejected it, I reset it. I plugged it back into Itunes and now everything is gone off the Ipod. No big deal, everything was backed up.
So now when I turn the Ipod on it goes straight to language select menu. I plug it into Itunes and it shows up on My Computer but won't show up in Itunes - it stays froze on "connected -ejected before disconnecting" screen. So I disconnect, and the Ipod goes straight to the black/Apple logo screen for a few seconds before going back to the language select menu.
I have done the hard reset and the same thing happens.
I have done the right click/format to Ipod under My Computer with no results.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled Itunes.
I have tried different USB cables to connect the ipod to the computer.
Apple Device Manager is installed. I've started/restarted it as well.
I have put the Ipod in disk mode and connected to Itunes. It usually freezes on the "do not connect" screen. Sometimes in disk mode, Itunes will say that my Ipod needs restored, so I click on restore. It will go to a dark black screen with the Apple logo with a progress bar at the bottom. Before the bar fills up it will go to the regular black Apple logo screen for a few minutes before going back to being frozen on the "connected -eject before disconnecting" screen. The ipod still won't be shown on Itunes either.
I have run device manager, updated Apple Device Manager, used the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers folder and says its up-to date.
I have gone through the steps in these-
iPod: Appears in Windows but not in iTunes
and iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
with no results.
This is my smart data:
Retracts: 75
Reallocs: 200
Pending Sectors: 16
Power On Hours: 65
Start/Stops 20234
Temp: Current 33c
So I'm guessing after all the troubleshooting, it would be something hard drive related? Especially since the start/stops have to be high. I just want to make sure what it is before I try replacing the hard drive.
I know variations of this question have been posted a bunch of times, but I've tried everything I've seen on here. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Answer 1

Not Charge
- See:    
iPod touch: Hardware troubleshooting
iPhone and iPod touch: Charging the battery
- Try another cable. The cable for 5G iPod (lightning connector) seems to be more prone to failure than the older cable.
- If a 5G iPod      
Iphone 5 lightning port charging problem - SOLUTION!
- Try another charging source
- Inspect the dock connector on the iPod for bent or missing contacts, foreign material, corroded contacts, broken, missing or cracked plastic.
- Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.
  Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar
Also:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try another cable       
- Try on another computer                            
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
  Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar