When is a reset not a reset? And why won't Windows or Itunes see my Ipod???

Question

I'm having problems with my brand new 5G 60GB Ipod, lovely little beast it is. For th first few days all has been perfect with the exception of album artwork not transferring from Itunes to the Ipod, I've done this manually, what a chore but the results are worth it with 4000 songs.
Now Windows can't see the Ipod, nor can Itunes This seems to be happening since I ran the inbuilt Ipod diagnostics, a good idea according to a forum I read...AND when ejecting the Ipod using the Windows system tray thingy, it can take 5 minutes, and even then after physically disconnecting the Ipod, it is frozen on the "Do Not Disconnect" screen, and needs resetting. hence my Thread topic:
I noticed that following the typical reset instruction, if you take your fingers off the buttons as described, then it appears to do a "soft" reset, as soon as the Apple Ico appears. BUT...if you keep holding down the buttons for say another 5 or so seconds it appears to do a "Hard" reset, the screen goes totally blank and you can feel the hard drive immediately spin down. Then it reboots normally. Just for curiosity, and seeing this probably has nothing to do with my Ipod's problem above, and I can't seem to find anything on this anomoly, I was wondering what it all means.
A bit analous to the difference between restarting your PC, and holding down the power button till it does a hard reset, I guess.
Any comment or assistance on my problem will me much appreciated. I don't want to lose 4 days and 4000 songs if I don't have to!
Greg

Answer 1

Can't see your iPod in iTunes or Windows Explorer? Remember these five basic suggestions when you run into a problem with your iPod. If one of the following doesn’t help, read on for solutions to specific problems. If Windows sees the iPod but iTunes 7 does not, then see this article first (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304434).
Tip: Check Device Manager first (right-click on My Computer, choose Manage, and then select Device Manager). If no devices appear in the Windows Device Manager, go here (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302898)
Before starting, make sure your iPod is fully charged and then toggle the Hold switch on and off.
Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall , Restore
Go here (http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/) to go through the 5 R's of iPod troubleshooting. If you're still experiencing the issue after going through each of the steps, then continue on for more suggestions.
Still can't see your iPod?
Several things could keep iPod from appearing in iTunes or Windows Explorer. The most likely causes are listed below—you'll find information for both USB and FireWire (IEEE 1394) iPod connections. Check each one starting from the top of the list to see if that is what's keeping iPod from appearing.
our computer doesn't meet iPod system requirements
Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements to use iPod for Windows.
Your iPod displays an exclamation point folder or sad iPod icon, or doesn't appear in iTunes or My Computer
If your iPod displays a folder with an exclamation point icon or a sad (unhappy) iPod icon on its screen, or if your iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or My Computer, follow these instructions to resolve the issue. (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61771)
Your iPod isn't formatted for Windows
iPod for Windows Software only recognizes iPod for Windows. You cannot use iPod for Macintosh with a Windows PC. To see which platform your iPod is formatted for, follow these instructions. (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61672)
Your iPod isn't connected to a high-power USB port
If you're connecting an iPod, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle to your Windows computer, make sure that you're connecting it to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer (not a low-power one such as the USB port on your keyboard or bus-powered USB hub).
Typically, USB 2.0 high-power ports are located directly on your computer. Try connecting your iPod to another USB port on the computer (or to a self-powered USB 2.0 hub that's connected to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer) if the computer still doesn't recognize your iPod. Alternatively, if your computer has a FireWire connection, try using that instead.
If you're connecting an iPod, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle to a Windows laptop computer through USB, connect the laptop to a power outlet before connecting your iPod.
and the answer to yoru question about a hard and soft reset....
a hard reset is for when your ipod is totally locked up and a soft reset wont work for it. just like if your computer is completely frozen you cant do ctrlaltdel to close all programs and stop messing up your computer...you have to restart the computer by pushing the power button down for like 10 sec. that is the only difference all does the same thing just when a soft reset wont work and your ipod is completely locked up you do a hard reset. good luck hope that helps ya out