Old 2G ipod with folder icon - help

Hi there
I'm having trouble with my old iPod, i think it's either a 2G or a 3G 30 gig classic which has served me very well up until now. Yesterday it just turned itself off in the middle of playing so I reset it and when it came back up again there was a folder icon with an exclamation point.
I've been to apple support and followed the instructions for this error message - I've done a reset with the play/pause and menu buttons, the apple icon came up on it but then the folder icon came straight back.
Next step was to connect it to itunes to do a restore but itunes does not recognise it (no error messages, 'ipod' just doesn't show up in the left hand menu like it normally does) so I can't restore it.
If I hold it to my ear I can hear something whirring around constantly.
Any ideas? I know its' old but it's been brilliant up until now.
I'm using OS X 10.5.5.
Thanks in advance.
Message was edited by: Leese7242

There is a pretty comprehensive post written by another forum member which is about the sad iPod and/or folder icon.
The Sad iPod/folder and ! icon.
Btw, whatever your iPod is (be it a 2nd or 3rd gen), it is not a Classic which is a completely different model.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353

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