iPod touch 2nd gen itouch, need repair help.

[achase]

I received a 2nd gen itouch, which was completely dead.

I have successfully, replaced the battery and it does power on now.

Problem; non-responsive to touch.

itouch is passcode locked (I have the passcode), I do not have the original computer it was synced with.

Main objective is to get the data out.

I have tried another, "known good", digitizer and still no response.
I did notice 2 of the 8 backplate screws were rusty, perhaps water damage.

logic board? (i noticed i can purchase a 'logic board cable') where is the data actually stored (chip on the board itself)? replacing that would lose the data anyway, perhaps?

Any ideas how to proceed?