garygard, this sounds like a HDD error. I suggest that you run the diagnostics to check on the drive as well as the other hardware. To access the diagnostic menu as well as to find out what those test mean, [http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/|check on here.] Sometimes what happens is that the drive gets stuck and some people swear that by slapping the iPod really hard, it may free up the drive. Of course, you also want to double check your work and make sure that the HDD cable is properly attached. Your "retain all info I have installed over the last 9 years." should be relatively safe if you have performed any updates and synced the iPod. Those files are in the restore files on the computer you used fir that. Hope this helps, good luck.