I can understand why iTunes wouldn't work, but I'm surprised Windows doesn't see it at all - I guess it's because the on-board controller doesn't understand NTFS (although in that case I don't know how Windows managed to format it to NTFS!). I assume you used Windows' built-in disk utility to reformat it? Also, I assume you reformatted it on the same computer that's now having trouble seeing it?
- Did you try using the iPod update utility (worth a shot even if Windows doesn't see it)? That's what Apple
appears to recommmend in this case.
- Did you try a
hard reset?
- Did you try removing the hardware from the device manager (assuming it shows up there)?
Assuming it shows up in device manager, and you were able to remove it, you might also find it helpful to go into /Windows/inf and hunt around for the iPod-related files - and delete them. I've found that when Windows installs hardware incorrectly, on uninstall/reinstall it will often repeat the same mistakes if the previous info is cached in that directory.
If it's not resolveable from Windows, the easiest thing I can think of is to find someone who has a Mac - I'm sure a Mac would see it (and want to reformat it).
P.S. I can understand why you'd have been tempted to format it as NTFS.
P.P.S. I can't see how this could possibly affect your warranty, but IANAL (as they like to say on Slashdot).
