iPod won't mount in iTunes

[sredhead]

When I plug my ipod to my computer, there is a little magnifying glass and a CD icon that appears on my ipod icon, when it finishes doing that, theres an exclamation mark with a CD on my ipod icon so it never actually connects to my computer. I can't reinstall the iPod's software because the computer doesn't mount it. Any ideas how to get it working again.
Computer is 14" iBook and iPOd is 5 gb original type with 1.31 software.

[trevor]

Replace your firewire cable.

Trevor

[MBHockey]

Yeah trevor is right, i had this problem a few months back and i replaced the firewire cable and everything worked.

[sredhead]

This idea was tried already but unfortunately did not work. The problem is more complexed it seems. Thanks anyway.

[sredhead]

My first generation 5 gb iPod won't mount in iTunes or the desk top - just shows the iPod icon with a CD icon on it and a ? mark. Using iBook 14" with iTunes 4.2. Previously no issues. Have reinstalled iTune and tried to reinstall iPod software 1.3.1 again but as the unit won't mount can't get success.
Firewire port and the firewire cable were checked with another peripheral and these are both working.
Tried reseting the iPod but the all the songs in the ipod disappeared.

Any IDeas welcome.