iPod keeps disconnecting

[stesah]

My boyfriend gave me his old iPod. I believe it's the iPod classic, 20gig, colour screen, no video.
He said he never had any problems with it, but ever since I first connected it to my laptop, it keeps disconnecting. I have about 20 secs before it disconnects again (it's still listed in iTunes, but I can't access or edit any files - I can't eject it via file manager - and the iPod screen shows the main menu as if it's not connected). The more I try, the shorter the time gets while it's still connected.
I upgraded to the latest iTunes version and also tried to upgrade the iPod, but at that point iTunes wouldn't even recognise the iPod anymore. So I restored the whole thing (which was problematic because the iPod wouldn't be recognised anymore, but the Apple Support pages helped me out here) and lost all the files.
When I first tried to connect it wouldn't recognise the iPod, but when I tried a couple of times it finally did. But I still get the problem of the diconnecting iPod which is quite frustrating! Also, when it finally doesn't disconnect for a change and I try to edit file information, a small window pops up saying "Writing ID3 tags", but when it disappears, the info wasn't changed at all.
Does anyone have any ideas on this? I feel like giving up and throwing the whole thing into the next bin.

[patgmac]

You basically need to figure out if it's a problem with the iPod (or cable) or your Mac. Try your iPod on another Mac with the same cable, if the problem goes away, it's a problem with your Mac. If the problem is still there, try another cable (or dock).

[J Christopher]

He said he never had any problems with it, but ever since I first connected it to my laptop, it keeps disconnecting. I have about 20 secs before it disconnects again (it's still listed in iTunes, but I can't access or edit any files - I can't eject it via file manager - and the iPod screen shows the main menu as if it's not connected). The more I try, the shorter the time gets while it's still connected.

From your description, the iPod is behaving normally. iTunes is the file manager for the iPod. If you want to access it via your operating system's file manager, quit iTunes before it has a chance to mount the iPod. That should keep it from disconnecting from your file manager. Don't be surprised if you can't see the files on the iPod, though. They're hidden for a reason. Don't blame Apple; blame the recording industry.

[stesah]

I'm on a PC, not a Mac (probably not a clever idea to be shouting that on a Mac forum).
Sadly, I don't know anyone else with an iPod, so can't use someone else's cable to test if mine's gone wonky.
And I think there's been a misunderstanding, J Christopher. I don't use the Windows File Manager to manage the iPod, I use it to eject any USB connections, which won't even work with the iPod anymore cause it simply disconnects itself while plugged in. It got even worse. The last 2 days it disconnects as soon as i plug it in, like after 2 secs.