iTunes Won't Recognize iPod is Connected Anymore

I have an old iPod, the postage-stamp sized one, I forget what its called, sorry. It's worked fine for about 8 years. Lately I've had more and more trouble getting it to connect and be recognized by iTunes. I usually unplug it, plug it back in, close and re-open iTunes, and eventually it will recognize it and I can download music. All of a sudden, nothing will work and it will no longer recognize it at all.

I have been to both these help pages:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204095

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10691

Neither bit of advice will work. I got closest with the second link, but there simply isn't a "Apple Mobile Device USB Driver" listed under the Device Manager in my Control Panel - I spent a long time looking, opened every drop-down menu, it isn't there.

If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful! I would simply go out and buy a new iPod after all this time, but i don't think they make this one anymore and it's the perfect size. Thanks!