iPod Drive not recognized

[FuriousGeorge83]

AFter I plug my ipod into the ipod dock Itunes will pop up after about 30 secs and it shows that it sees my ipod and i am able to add and delete and use itunes ok. However, when itunes is not using ipod to update songs or what not and the ipod screen while still in the dock goes back to the main window instead ofthe battery charging pic or the do not remove screen, I am not able to access the harddrive using windows. Double click on my computer and there is no ipod removable drive. I need this because ipod agent keeps telling me it cant find my ipod. The only way ive gotten it to work is to click update ipod in itunes and quickly use ipod agent before its done updateing. It only shows up when itunes is using the ipod. what am I doing wrong?

My System: Win XP, 4g 40gig ipod, Using the dock, Using Itunes, Ipod Agent. P4, 2.5Ghz.

[honeybee1236]

Go inside "iPod Options" while the iPod is connected in iTunes and see if 'enable disk use' box is checked or unchecked. Check this box if unchecked. If it's checked then check the box that says "manually manage songs and playlists", then click 'ok'. Then go to 'my computer' and see if the iPod is visiable as a removable HD.

Using iPod as a HD: (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61131).