ATV2 Not showing in iTunes, and bricked, showing micro usb and iTunes logos

Question

Hey all,
I was given an ATV2 for christmas a few weeks early, purchased new from Big W (Australia). I happily plugged it in on the 14th or 15th December (I can't quite remember, but I did find out later itunes match went live to a bunch of countries that day, which is why my itunes account crashed). I plugged it in, with the HDMI cable I purchased from australian apple store online, and the power cable. I connected happily to my home network, and started scrolling through the features. I came to a point in setup where it asked for my itunes ID and password. I entered these and it told me it couldn't recognise the apple ID or password.
I tried again, same. I checked my mac to see if it was iTunes or the ATV2 that had a problem... tried to log in, and it said the same error msg. Same on my iPhone and iPad. So I knew itunes was down, and later found out it crashed internationally for some people as itunes match went live.
Unfortunately for me, as I got that first error msg, I aborted trying to set up. I then had a pop up on the ATV2 asking me to update the software (I run the latest software on my mac, ipod, ipad, and have latest itunes by the way), I can't remember which version it had, but it asked me to update, and not knowing the login issue was accross platforms, I tried to log in again and update, hoping it was more a software issue. It seemed to begin updating then pop up with the same itunes error that it couldn't recognise the apple ID or password. At this point the device suddenly showed the micro USB to itunes logo and it became apparent it wanted me to plug into itunes for some R&R. Of course I didn't have a micro usb cable, and had to wait a week or so to get one since I live in the country with no tech shops around. It arrived and I tested it on my itrip as a charging cable. It charges my iphone nicely while plugged into the griffin itrip. So the cable works. I plugged the ATV2 into my imac (latest OSX 10.7.2 and latest itunes 10.5.2) and it doesn't come up in itunes at all. I tried a different USB port in the back of the computer as opposed to the keyboard. No luck. I tried plugging in the power cord as well, no luck. I tried a reset via ATV2 remote holiding the menu and down buttons until the LED light flashes super super fast (as opposed to its current fast flashing). No luck.
How do I get this thing to show up in itunes? Or how can I manually reboot it if it won't show? I live nowhere near a genius bar or even the shop where my family member purchased it, and they probably lost the reciept by now anyway so I doubt I could exchange.
Very dissapointed in Apple for not including HDMI cord or micro usb with the product, not to mention it was Apple's fault itunes crashed right as I was setting up. I'm a huge Apple fan but this is so annoying.
I have read something about router permissions and so on being a possible cause, is this likely? My ipad, iphone and mac never took issue with our wireless network or router previously, but it was setup a year ago and I have no idea what the settings are exactly. We also have two other imac's and a ibook connecting occasionally at home (big family) and no issues there.
I have home sharing on, I did everything the manual said. HELP!

Answer 1

Thanks everyone.
Alley_Cat I tried a new micro usb, as a last ditch effort before giving up entirely... SUCCESS! How strange the other micro usb charges my iphone via griffin iTrip perfectly, but wouldn't work with apple TV. Perhaps there are different kinds? Even more bizarre than Apple not including it in the box, is that they don't even SELL micro USB's on the Apple australian online store (or at least they didn't when I checked a week ago). Now that is stupid.
Anyway i'm mid-restore and software update now, fingers crossed!
Also on the HDMI cable inclusion/not inclusion debate... is it actually possible to use the Apple TV for any reason without one? Because my point is more that there is no way to do anything with the thing, without the cable. Printers that don't include usb connections usually are able to connect to your computer and network wirelessly, therefore perform their intended function without the cable. My point is simply if a device is meant to do something, you buy it expecting to do that thing. I'm lucky I had googled it and knew about the HDMI not being included, but even I missed the micro USB inclusion. At the very least this should be clearly marked on the exterior packaging so you know in store, you have to buy the device + HDMI + micro USB. Isn't Apple all about making 'things just work'?