That, the dock on the new photos is NOT compatible, so nuff said there.

but, when I do upgrades, upgrading OS on the ipod, or on the desktop, usually the new models require a NEW iTunes patch or account.

I do THAT first, then the ipod, restart everything and this has worked fine. I think the restarts are really necessary on the WinOS models and software, since WINXP even is not that great at loading NEW DLL's and other componants after an install.

A restart, hookup and link ALWAYS gets me going with iTunes at least.