There is a preference you need to set to manage tunes manually; this will prevent iPod from automatically matching iTunes when you hook them up. I think it can be reached from the wee icon at the bottom of the iTunes window but also from the iTubes Preferences menu option.

Hope this helps.

Alison, there were a whole mess of earlier iPods which Apple had to fix batteries on for free because they wouldn't hold a charge. Take it into your Apple Store and ask one of their Geniuses about it.

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