How I Got my Windows PC to recognize my Ipod Nano 3rd gen

Question

Much like many of you, I could not get my computer to recognize my brand new Ipod Nano 3g. I was able to fix it, and now hope that this post will help others:
*The Symptom:*
After plugging Ipod in, Windows recognizes a new USB device had been plugged in, but I received an error message while it was installing the driver. In Windows Device Manager, the error was '*Code 10: Device Cannot Start*' and the Apple Ipod had the yellow exclamation point next to it.
After fruitlessly searching through the forums, and reading and attempting all the Apple support documents (like the 5R's), I had gotten nowhere. I uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes about 10 times, deleted registry entries, etc, and NONE of the suggested fixes worked.
Important note: I tested my iPod on my Laptop and it worked, so I KNEW the issue was confined somehow to my main computer, and wasn't a hardware problem with the ipod. I suggest if you have a second computer available (even like a work computer), test the ipod there.
I turned to Google, and found a blog that helped me fix the problem in 10 minutes or less. To give that guy some credit, here is the link: http://blog.irreverence.co.uk/?p=467
*The Fix:*
To sum it all up, basically the problem was not iTunes, Quicktime, or corrupted software. *Ipods evidently don't like other USB devices and/or drivers* (I know there's an apple support doc on this, but it didn't help me!).
*Here are the steps I performed:*
1. I went into the Device Manager and uninstalled any USB Devices (such as my Logitech Webcam, and printer) by right clicking on each device and hitting "Uninstall".
2. I pulled all these devices out of my computer, leaving no USB devices attached (you should be ok leaving a mouse attached).
3. I uninstalled a USB 2.0 Driver program that was listed in the Windows Add/Remove programs list (I suspect this might have been the issue).
4. I rebooted the computer.
5. Plugged Ipod in...and boom it worked!
It would seem that playing around with your USB devices might help you if you're tried everything that Apple suggests on the Support pages. I hope this helps some of you out there.

Answer 1

Hi Daboo14,
You can always recycle the iPod through Apple.
There is either a mail in option or you could recycle it at an Apple Retail Store and get 10% a new iPod.
Go to: http://www.apple.com/recycling/ipod-cell-phone/