Why can't I get rid of the "do not disconnect" screen on my ipod?

[Scootergrrrl]

My Ipod video thingy is having some kind of hissy fit and is refusing to a) stop displaying the "do not disconnect" screen b) be reset as the Apple site says it should be.
It makes the little da-ding noise when I plug it into the computer but doesn't appear in Itunes so I can't eject it that way.
Please help - we're going on a car trip at the weekend which will be unbearable without the various stuff loaded on for the DCs.

[Threadworm]

Is the orange 'lock' button on?

[Scootergrrrl]

I'm not THAT daft

(scuttles off to check and establishes it isn't)

[AmIWhatAndWhy]

Ipods suck, we had three that all died.
Now have a flash sony one.