How do I use my original iphone as a music player?

Question

I've upgraded my iphones through the years, but I always kept my first one.  It's an 8GB original iphone, and I'd like to give it to my 12 year old to use as a music player with itunes.  I tried connecting it to my current itunes (11.0.3.42), and it doesn't even recognize a device is connected.  It just displays the icon of a USB connector and an arrow pointing to an itunes icon.
Do I need to install an old version itunes to make it work?  Where do I find links to old itunes downloads?
Is there anything else I need to do to make it work?
Has anyone else done this recently?  Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you've tried already, but have you considered reset, restore or both?  I had recently done this to my iPhone-1st Gen for a different reason.  After the restore, make sure to give the iPhone-1 a separate name from your main mobile device. 
The new name is only so you can recognize the different sync settings and playlists on the older device.  iTunes software can tell the difference wheter you rename or not.  Just make sure that you always use the correct backup when you sync, reset or restore.
How to Reset
Two Button Reset.
This is the least likely to result in loss of data.  Read that again, especially the phrase "least likley."
Disconnect the iDevice from the computer.
Press and hold both the home and the sleep/wake buttons (ignore the red slider) until you see the silver Apple logo.
When you see the logo, let both buttons go.
If this worked, you should see an icon instructing you to connect to iTunes.  My guess is that the reset did not work.
How to Restore
DFU Restore
This will very likley result in loss of data.
Connect the iDevice to the computer.
Ensure that it is running the latest version of iTunes and that it has access to the internet.
Press and hold both the home and sleep/wake buttons for exactly eight seconds.
Release only the sleep/wake button but continue to hold the home button for another five seconds.
Let go of the home button, then look at the computer screen for an instructional popup.
The popup should say "iTunes has detected a device in recovery mode. . .(etc)"  Click accept to all boxes and let iTunes download and install all of the latest device Firmware and Software.
If no popup appears, repeat the above DFU instructions.  If you've never done a DFU, it may take about three attempts to get the timing right.