ipod/firewire problems

I have had problems with my Ipod (original 10gb) since I installed Panther.

The Ipod is not recognised on the desktop or in Itunes but does charge when plugged into the firewire of my iMac. I put the pod on a friends ibook and it was recognised so I figure the problem must be in hardware or Panther.

Is there any way of running some sort of check to see if the firewire ports are the problem. I don't have access to any other firewire devices to check that way.

I have tried reset the Ipod-no joy.

All updates have been downloaded om both mac and pod and I'm at a loss as to what to do without taking it to he repair shop to be checked.

Any advice appreciated