Serious issues with iPod classic 160g

Ok, I'll try and add as much info as I can...The iPod was originally used on a Dell with WindowsXP. While I was in Iraq I got a bunch of music from a couple different computers. When I got back I puchased a new HP with Vista. And after downloading iTunes 8 on it I can't do anything with the iPod. It says there is a problem with reading the disk. Eventually it will pull up the info on iTunes but I can't do anything. I've tried to restore it which I know will erase everything from it and iTunes has stated after several times of doing this that the iPod was successfully restored but it hasn't. Everything is still on it and I can't do anything. I don't care if I lose all the music on it I just want to redo everything and nothing seems to be working...