Billfred, have no fear, your iPod has a chance at life. Mine has come back from near death more times than I'd like to count. Here are a few tips that I have that hopefully will give it life again. Chances are what happened is that all of your useage has shaken it around more that it could take easily, it probably just needs a tune up.
- Open it up
- Clean it out, get some canned air if possible
- Disconnect and Reconnect your hard drive, the pins are sensitive and chances are they got knocked around from being carried around so much, so carefully disconnect and reconnect.
- Reformat the harddrive if you really want to
Usually most iPod users go, Sign of Death *Spaz*, but if your nice to your ipod a small tune up will probably be all that it needs.