20gb clickwheel ipod, not recognized by itunes or computer, won't restore!!

Question

Okay, this has been an ongoing problem, with not just one ipod, but two!
My dad and my sister's ipods (both 20gb b/w clickwheel ipods) are completely messed up. Within a week of each other, they have gone from normally functioning ipods, to evil clicking things of doom.
They will not play songs anymore, and alternate between showing the sad ipod icon and the folder icon. Both are ABLE to be placed into disk mode (so they can't be completely screwed...), and make a "whirring sound" in the ipod before any icons are shown. My sister's has been out for service once already, and was supposedly fixed. Now, both are past the 1yr warrenty.
Neither will connect to a computer(we've tried two comps so far.) When connected, the computer will make the coonecting chiming sound, and act as if it's recognizing the ipod, but the ipod will not show up in "my computer", "itunes", or on the "safely remove hardrive" Aside from little connection sound, the fact that the ipod freezes itunes, and my computer, I wouldn't even know it's connected!
Its not our computers, as I have an ipod mini, and it is recognized on both computers, can be restored, updated, ect.
I have restarted and attempted to restore both ipods, to no avail. I have Itunes 7.0.1.8, and am unable to restore it using itunes, as the stupid thing wont recognize the ipod enough to even attempt to restore it! I have tried using previous ipod updaters, but the message "invalid ipod service version" appears, no matter which pevious updater I use.
Would LOVE some advice, as we are at our wits end, and it is disgusting that not one, but TWO ipods are having this same exact problem! Please Help!!!
also, you can email me at [email protected] Thanks!
eMachines T2892 Windows XP AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2800+, 2.09 GHz, 960MB of RAM

Answer 1

Also, in case this helps any, here are my network diagnostics
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
eMachines Product Name
iTunes 7.0.1.8
Current user is an administrator.
Network Adapter Information
Adapter Name: {CD687848-FE38-4D0A-A61B-626449465BD3}
Description: NVIDIA nForce MCP Networking Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport
IP Address: 132.198.196.179
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 132.198.196.1
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 132.198.101.109
Lease Obtained: Sun Oct 15 09:14:09 2006
Lease Expires: Sun Oct 15 17:14:09 2006
DNS Servers: 132.198.201.10
132.198.202.10
Network Connection Information
Active Connection: LAN Connection
Connected: Yes
Online: Yes
Using Modem: No
Using LAN: Yes
Using Proxy: No
Firewall Information
Windows Firewall is on.
iTunes is enabled in Windows Firewall.
Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.
Connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
Secure connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.