How can I sync my iPod Classic with iTunes 11.1.4 and Windows 7 64-bit?

Question

After assistance from ‘b Noir’ (and losing--then finally regaining--my DVD/CD reader in the process), I finally installed the iTunes Version 11.1.4 update on my Windows 7 64-bit PC.  So I am again able to import music from CDs, play music on my PC with iTunes, and burn CDs as I could do with previous iTunes versions.  Then, however, I purchased some new music and tried to sync iTunes with my iPod Classic for the first time since the update to 11.1.4.  So far, I have been spectacularly unsuccessful.  Can anyone help me?
With previous iTunes versions, sync was automatic when I connected iPod to a USB port.  Now when I connect iPod Classic to PC's USB port (I've tried two different ports), iPod’s screen says “Connecting” but iTunes doesn’t open.  And while iPod is connected to the USB port, I can't open iTunes by right-clicking its icon and selecting “Open.”   (ITunes, however, always opens OK if iPod is NOT connected).  With the iPod connected to a PC's USB port, I opened Windows 7 “Devices and Printers.”  Devices shown included both (a) the “Apple iPod USB Device” and (b) “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.”  I right-clicked each of these device icons in turn and selected “troubleshoot.”  Both times, the report was “Troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem.” 
I am also unable to properly “eject” the iPod.  I tried ejecting (a) from the Windows taskbar's Notification Area, (b) from Windows “Devices and Printers” and (c) by right clicking the iTunes icon and selecting “Eject.”  Nothing worked, so I reluctantly pulled the cable out of the iPod without ejecting.  That causes a yellow triangle with an exclamation point to appear in “Devices and Printers” for my PC—which disappears after shutting down and rebooting the PC. 
If I start iTunes and THEN connect the iPod Classic to the USB port, iTunes does nothing and almost instantly freezes (shows as “not responding” in Windows Task Manager and I have to close it via Task Manager). 
Suggestions, please, on what I need to do?  My iPod Classic continues to work just fine, but I can't put any of my newly purchased music on it and I guess it will become an expensive paperweight if the battery happens to run down.  If nothing else, is there an old version of iTunes I can download somewhere that likely will work with the iPod Classic and my PC setup? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Hi turingtest2,
Thanks so much for your response--yes, I've seen the TS1363 document.
I was able to open iTunes, start the iPod Diagnostic Device Connectivity Test, and connect the iPod when prompted to do so.  The only problem reported by the diagnostic program was "No iPod, iPhone or iPad found." So it does seem as if the TS1363 document should apply.  But I have tried connecting the iPod after executing each of Steps 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9 shown there and nothing has worked so far.  Details follow:
--Went through the iPod Classic troubleshooting assistant--except I did not "reset" the iPod (because having all my "old" music available on the iPod has value to me).
--Restarted iPod Service.
--Restarted Apple Mobile Device Service.
--Verified that the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed.  There is no down arrow or question mark or other indication of problem with it.
--Tried two different USB ports (I assume that is what is meant by "change your iPod's drive letter"?).
--Temporarily disabled Norton Antivirus.
For some reason, there are 368 files and 60 folders in the Temp folder under my user name, and it looks like at least some are "read-only."  Windows wouldn't let me delete or move the folder, even after I turned off Norton AntiVirus and closed the programs in the "Notification Area" that I could figure out how to close.
I'm very reluctant to get into messing with Config files or registry keys.  And I have already tried uninstalling/reinstalling iTunes 11.4.1 so many times.  I'm not sure what to do but am considering uninstalling all of the Apple products (again) and try installing an older version of iTunes.  Or maybe I should try to install iTunes 11.4.1 on our Windows 8 laptop and see if the iPod will connect to that (although I really need to be able to sync to my desktop PC).  Probably won't have time to do either for a few days--too many other things to do.  But please let me know if there's something more that's relatively simple and low-risk I could try.  Thanks again!