There comes a time in every iPod’s life where it would do better to re-format and start over.  This has happened once before and I know that the benefits far out-weigh the anxiety of making sure I have everything backed up and that all my ducks are in a row.  But it is rough pushing that go button.  It takes a strong person.  Am I there yet?  Not quite.  But close.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

UPDATE - iPod is currently “under the knife”.  It finally ceased functioning and the “your iPod needs to be formatted” came up after the diagnostic.  The little bars keep marching across the screen so I hope all goes well.  I’m like a smoker denied nicotine without my iPod.