Broken iPod 3G (skips songs, crashes, plays back static)

[dstopping]

I really hope someone can help me with this problem. I've tried several solutions from several forums (mostly this one, I've lurked for more than a year here before registering today for help) and browsed Apple's support section extensively. It's now been over a month that I've been experiencing these problems.

I've had my third-generation 15 gig iPod since May of 2003, which makes it conveniently out of warranty. When I called Apple to ask if they could fix it, they said they could - for $20 more than it would cost to buy a brand-new 20 gig model. I was a little angry, a little sad, and very confused. I kept trying to fix it, and eventually decided that my iPod might be better back in its pretty box than in my pocket. This is, by any definition, a last-ditch effort. I hope someone can help.


Here's what's up:

Intermittently, and completely randomly (it is not a certain artist, a certain format, or anything else) the iPod will either:

a) skip over an entire group of songs (just quickly cycling through them, unable to play any), then crash. Occasionally it won't crush if I pause it, cross my fingers, and unpause it...at which point it'll play whatever song it's skipped forward to.
b) play a song back (or a certain part of a song) with noise (i.e. random really loud noise) - as far as i know, there are no problems with the songs, and a song that will have just messed up almost always works the next time. the ipod normally needs a reset after this.

When the iPod crashes, I reset it. Sometimes, this works, albeit occasionally, allowing the iPod to function for a little bit longer. Sometimes, however, it doesn't, and the iPod rotates between the Apple logo, and a big folder with an exclamation point in its lower corner for (what can be) hours, until it eventually shuts itself off. The problems have gotten so overwhelming (and so often-occuring now) that I don't use the iPod anymore.

I've had no problems when I've kept the iPod connected to the computer and played it through that, but I haven't done extensive testing with it this way.

I've tried to restore the iPod several times, and each time the problem(s) have continued. I've tried draining the battery to zero, then recharging, and the problems continued. I consider myself a power user, and, as such, have always been on top of all of Apple's iPod firmware and software updates.

I use iTunes to synchronize (via Firewire - the card is ) on my Windows XP SP2 laptop. I recently got a new computer, but the problems existed prior to its purchase.

If you can, please help. I LOVE the 3g model, moreso than the new one (it's just so damned pretty), and would much prefer to fix this one, use it for another year or so, and then buy a new one.

One further note: if I shake the iPod, there's a tiny clicking sound in it, like something hitting something else.

Thank you SO much in advance. I would be eternally devoted to anyone who could help me.

[dstopping]

Anyone have any ideas whatsoever?