I have periodically had that problem with connecting an older iPod to my Mac - the iPod screen goes through the sync process, the iPod shows up briefly on the desktop, and then the iPod disappears from the desktop and its screen changes to "ok to disconnect." Have you tried plugging the (charged) iPod into the computer and then rebooting the computer? That has sometimes worked for me. (Occasionally, I can get away with just being sure iTunes is NOT open when I plug in the iPod, and the plugging-in process will then cause iTunes to open and the iPod to show up.) Carol > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:11:05 -0500 > From: Robert Finlay <rfinlay at mac.com> > To: itunes at listserver.themacintoshguy.com > Subject: Re: [iTunes] iTunes not recognizing an iPod (Becca) > Message-ID: <572E8B1D-1AB4-4976-9BAB-646FFCA61A30 at mac.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > >> when he plugs his iPod into his computer, iTunes doesn't recognize it. >> (using Windows XP, I think) - his computer sees it as an external hard drive, >> but iTunes doesn't see it. > > > Is the iPod battery charged? If not, you may have to charge it at least > partially before iTunes will "see" it. An external charger will charge it > faster than the usb port.