ITunes 6 destroys iPod ... please help!

Question

Let me begin by saying I have wasted my extra hour from "falling back" and ending daylight savings online in these discussion forums. And, I have wasted many more hours after that one gimme.
I see several posts with similar issues but have really confused myself and backed myself into what appears a real jam. I have similarities to others but am not sure how to attack my issue.
I should also thank Apple. Your update totally destroyed me.
I use iTunes and my iPod 4G 40GB between two Windows 2000 computers. At work I upgraded to 6.01 without really thinking about it (mistake #1). My iPod was then, I assume, updated from the Sept. update (iTunes 5) to the October one (iTunes 6).
Then, Friday night, I decided to go to sleep listening to music and let my iPod drain its battery (mistake #2).
Last night, I was trying to transfer songs at home with my iTunes 5 version. I was receiving errors that certain files were not on my iPod. When disconnecting from iTunes, I could listen to the songs on the iPod. So, I decided I better sync my iTunes versions and upgraded the home version to 6.01 (not sure if this was a mistake but likely).
After the upgrade, my machine got real weird. The iPod wasn't recognized in iTunes but was recognized in Windows. Startup got real slow as it seemed like the iPod was really trying to do something (update?). "Do not disconnect" was the iPod's message.
I panicked and spent a few hours within these forums. Eventually, after an uninstall and repair, I figured maybe the iPod was really getting updated behind the scenes and did like one poster said worked for him: I slept on it and let the update run its course.
This morning, things looked fine. iTunes recognized the iPod! I thought I was in the clear.
Then, tonight, I reconnected the iPod. This time the infamous chkdsk error surfaced. It's the only time I have seen this error. I "rebooted" the iPod. Now, I get the sad iPod icon.
In summary, I've gone from working without a hitch, to working with a hitch, to not working.
Da Gopha ... please hear my call ... are you there? Someone else?

Answer 1

Da Gopha ... oh ... is your message a sight for sore iPods! My distress signal was found! Hallelujah!
1) My iPod's current state on a reset is the Apple logo followed by the dreaded sad face. Without the USB 2.0 connection (home PC) or USB 1.0 connection (work), my iPod will shut down afterwards. Connected to the USB, the iPod will loop a few times between the logo and sad face before eventually shutting down or displaying a battery and lightning bolt.
I connected the iPod to the power cord last night--hoping that a miracle would happen overnight via some real power--but the iPod appeared to just loop throughout the night between the logo and sad face. Note that the iPod now makes a slight noise (like other posters describe--a low grinding type/whirling noise). I have to put my ear next to it to hear it though.
2) I can't get a PC to recognize my iPod anymore when it is attached so I'm not sure how to perform the restore. (iPodUpdater smiles at me and basically says "I'm ready when you are ... plug your iPod in." But, it's in.) Thoughts? Worthy of a visit my local Apple store?
3) I didn't record the chkdsk error, but it basically stated there was a particular song that was bad on the iPod. After that, I tried to reset and basically got to where I am now. Prior to the reset, I could access the iPod in 2000, albeit real slowly.
4) iPod is 4G 40 GB. I have kept the iPod and iTunes up to date ... always taking the latest versions. But, unfortunately, given it's state, I cannot view the specifics.
The good news in all of this story is that I am under warranty (I believe so at least given that I'm in my first year as an iPod owner). I'm thinking maybe I need to drop into my local Apple store sometime today/tomorrow.