New Classic iPod will not restore and can't eject from iTunes.

Question

Hi everybody.
I just bought a new 160 GB Classic a week ago and promptly attached it to my Windows based laptop and installed the newest firmware.
I can add shows and songs to it with no problems, but if I do, I can NOT then eject the iPod from iTunes. It says that it is being used (it's not). The iPod itself says that it is "Synchronizing" despite the fact that I have NOTHING checked to synchronize (I disabled them all).
The only way I can eject at this point is to use the Windows function of "Safely Remove Hardware". However, if I simply connect the iPod to my computer and do NOT do anything with it (ie; transfer a song, etc.) it will allow me to eject.
No matter what, when I connect my iPod to iTunes I can never Restore it. I get Error Message 1418.
When I called Apple Care they had me go and replace it but the second one does the exact same thing.
I am just wondering if any other Windows users are experiencing the same thing before I go crazy.
Again, I have the latest firmware and the latest version of iTunes.
Thanks.

Answer 1

1a. Your PC can read iTunes, but for some strange reason, it just ignores your iPod. You have:
a) Reset the iPod (back to factory settings)
b) Reset the ipod, by flicking the top slider on the iPod on and off, then pressing 'Menu and 'Centre button'
for 6 secondish. let go!
b) Downloaded upto date iTunes onto your pc...
c) spent hours entering all your tracks into your library
....and then nothing!
Works ok on the pc ok, but dead on the ipod.
TRY THE FOLLOWING:
1b. a) Delete iTunes from you 'Control Panel' (click on Add & Remove Software).
Note: Make sure you delete everything to do with the Apple iPod, this is very important. (I just deleted
iTunes,and believe me you will be there for days..get rid of all of it and start a fresh).
b) Reboot your pc...
c) Plug in your iPod....it should now work.
Note: If still not working, try an earlier version of iTunes e.g Ver. 7.4.3.1
READ FIRST:
2a. Somestimes people have problems with iTunes because of the clash with Microsoft Media Player.
a) All you need to do is uninstall Media Player from your PC and reboot your system.
b) Load the Latestest iTunes from the iTune & Apple site http://www.apple.com/itunes/
c) Reboot your PC iTunes, it should now work.
However, like me if you want the best of both worlds and want Media Player, you can re-install Media Player.
Personally I use Ver. 10 - it works ok with iTunes and it has majority of functions as Ver. 11 but without the
registering via redtape as they introduced with ver.11
Note: As long as you install iTunes first and then Media Player you should be ok - Media player has a sub-routine
in its programming to dominate other players - and therefore causes you problems, without telling you why....'Nice One Bill Gates!'
but if say, you have installed iTunes FIRST then for the sub-routine seems to ignore it....strange huh!
Try it....what have you got to lose?
N. G Wilcox 10/12/07