Nano no longer recognized by Windows

Question

I have a first generation Nano. It was connecting to Windows XP machine just fine and iTunes worked great --- until yesterday. Now it's no longer seen by iTunes, or by My Computer. I've reset the iPod and tried everything else on the support site.
I have two iPods, two computers and two cables. The other iPod connects just fine with either computer and either cable, so I know it's not the computers or cable. This iPod doesn't connect on either computer with either cable.
This iPod plays music just fine -- it just doesn't connect to the computer.
In iTunes I've done Help/Diagnostics/iPod Dignostics. The result is "red" under "iPod Connection Status," with the following text:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
iTunes 7.0.2.16
iPodService 7.0.2.16 is currently running.
iTunesHelper 7.0.2.16 is currently running.
Current user is an administrator.
Connected Storage Devices:
IDE\DiskWDCWD800JB-00FMA0_____________________13.03G13, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
USBSTOR\DiskHP_____photosmart_79001.00, Bus Type USB
Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
ALi PCI to USB Open Host Controller, PCI bus 2, device 9, function 0. Device is working properly.
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, PCI bus 2, device 9, function 3. Device is working properly.
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442, PCI bus 0, device 31, function 2. Device is working properly.
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444, PCI bus 0, device 31, function 4. Device is working properly.
No IEEE 1394 Host Controller found.
The last connected iPod serial number: (my other iPod).
The iPod Service Logging Information:
[SERVICE: 0xA48,21:44:53 INFO] Started C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe (Wed Feb 07 21:44:53 2007)
[SERVICE: 0xA48,21:44:53 INFO] ##### iPodService starting as a service, version: 7.0.2.16
[SERVICE: 0xA54,21:44:54 INFO] Timed out... Starting device manager!
[SERVICE: 0xA78,21:44:54 INFO] Listener Window created
Any advice?

Answer 1

I've had this problem and given the advice to others and it has worked for some. This isn't mentioned in any other advice that I can see but it is a simple check that you should do, not very technical either!
With your iPod plugged in to the computer, first go through the 5R's and other help topics to check the basics (new cable, different computer, different USB port etc.)
If no luck, check to see if your iPod exists in Device Manager as follows: right-click on My Computer, then click on Manage, then Device Manager, then expand the section called Disk Drives on the right hand side and see if the iPod is shown there, if it is, go on to the next stage.
In the same Computer Management box, click on Disk Management on the left hand side, after a few seconds a new box opens on the right and should show all of the disks on your computer including the iPod. Then right-click on the iPod information and it will give you an option to Change the drive letter or path....click on that and then select Change; select a new drive letter which is not already assigned to any other disc (I picked Z down the bottom), save that then exit and see if it works. Good luck!