2nd iPod won't sync or eject

[iamic]

I just picked up a second (used) 20 Gb 2nd-Gen iPod, and I'm having some difficulty getting it to work properly. Here are some of my symptoms:

1. Auto-sync will not fill the iPod. It stalls anywhere between 500Mb and 2Gb.
2. iPod will not unmount/eject through iTunes and disappears from My Computer
3. "Do Not Disconnect" continues to appear after I pull the plug or shut down after getting fed up with #2.
4. I get the error message below in the middle of an auto-sync.

Just for some background -

a. My other 20Gb iPod works just fine in any situation that the new one doesn't.
b. I've run the iPod updater (restore to 1.4) as well as quick format in My Computer then restore more than once.
c. The previous owner used ephPod and some of the files seemed to be corrupted.
d. I ran the first restore while logged on as an administrator, but I sync with iTunes from a limited user account. I tried temporarily changing that limited account to an admin then restored (again!) logged into that account - still the same problems!

Any thoughts?

 

[iamic]

I also have been getting an error message something like, "iTunes can not update the songs on the iPod. The required folders can not be found."

 

[iamic]

Nevermind. It turned out to be a failed hard drive. I just picked up my brand new 20GB replacement with only six days left on the warranty! Wooohooo!

... and yes, I did reply to myself two times in a row... "don't steal music."