IPhone 3G will not sync to iTunes whatever I do

iPhone 3G
iTunes 10.5.
Macbook Pro 15" i5 processor
iOS 4.2.1 (which I believe is as far as it will go)
Having real trouble syncing the entire contents of my iPhone.
I can go through the whole process either via right-clicking on my iPhone in the devices menu on the left OR using the Sync button in the right hand corner of iTunes. Whatever I do it goes through the entire process and either comes up with the dialogue: 'Could not backup because a session could not be started with the iPhone' or 'Could not backup because another sync session has already started' or 'Could not backup because the iPhone is not connected' (even though it is I can see it in the menu and on the display its saying 'Sync in progress.
However, all my up to date apps appear in iTunes which I guess is important, but what I REALLY need to do is backup my contacts, phone numbers and email addresses. This iPhone is clearly old and decrepid and I am on the verge of upgrading to an iPhone 4 but obviously I need the contacts on the computer to sync to the new one.
One thing I do notice is that my iPhone doesn't appear as an icon on my Macbook Pro's desktop. I don't know if that is important but is definitely recognised in iTunes.
Could anyone HELP! All I need is a full, clean backup in prep for a newer iPhone.
Thanks in advance!

Try using a different cable, Also take a look at this link, http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/assistant/itunes/

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