Afternoon (or morning) people,

I know there are several threads with this particular issue but my situation seems to be slightly different from other folks and besides, I've tried all the suggestions I can find from spending about 5 hours reading posts and trying things so I'll ask the question.

My setup - iPod Mini (1.1) software, Win XP, iTunes 4.5.

I've not tried to connect my mini to the PC for a while (mainly because after a particularly messy house party - the USB cable got lost. I've recently ordered a new (retracting) one and set about uploading my latest tracks - or so I thought I would. XP recongises the Mini as it shows up as being an Apple iPod USB Device which can be disconnected. Do not disconnect also appears on the mini display.

So, I tried the cure all of a reset - this didn't work.

Then I uninstalled iTunes and the iPod software from the CD and tried to run the updater - it gets so far then comes up with can't mount iPod.

Uninstalled reinstalled again - this time with 4.7 and the latest updater from the apple site - again - took a while for the updater to run and got a can't mount message. (note I only get option to restore the Mini with 1.1 and 1.2 software - never get Update)

Then tried setting Mini in disk mode and running through above - still no joy.

Tried disabling all services etc - again, nope...

The mini itself functions fine and a removable disk shows up in My Comp when I plug it in... However, the PC hangs if I try and right click or double click on this. (Also doesn't appear properly in Disk Manager)

Finally tried unplugging all USB devices and trying cable in every slot... (as a bit desparate now) again nope.

Unfortunately don't have a firewire slot to try so my only (as I see it) option is a re-install of XP as I've seen folk say this seems to do the trick - but its a) drastic b) a chore and c) too near Christmas!!!

Sorry if this is a bit passe, but I'm hoping some kind soul has spotted something really obvious I've missed.

Cheers.

Rich