How can I revitalize my beloved iPod?

My Macbook is running on Big Sur.

My (old) MacPro is running on ElCapitan.

Both don't mount the iPod as a volume (or dont show them as a device in ITunes resp.). – Also Disk Utility doesn't show iPod's HD ...

When I connect the iPod, its display (after short showing the apple) shows a red circle with a cross and reads "www.apple.com/support/ipod". But, when opening this URL, it is transformed into another – and on this, there is absolutely no information about iPod classic. Seemingly, they have stopped support – at least in Germany – because they rather want to sell new devices ...

(But up to now, there is no substitute for iPod classic with enough storing capacity to hold my collection (which is spread over two 160GB-iPods ... So, I try to keep my classics running as long as possible – what else can I do?)

Oh - thank you for sharing the archived copy! – Meanwhile I tried to put the iPod into Disk mode. – But the result was the same: the red X came up and nothing else happened ...

So – is there any possibility to check if it is really the new hard disk that is faulty – or some other thing that doesn't work?

In other words: Is there a way to check the function of the HD outside the iPod? – e.g. is there any use in trying to put the supposed faulty HD into my other 160GB iPod classic to see if it runs there?

(I think it is not worthwhile to use apple's 299 $ service offer to have the device replaced with a new/refurbished one (and in addition, I'd have to pay for S/H from Germany). I think, for that price i will get a new 256 GB iPod Touch which will solve the problem of my 160 GB classic having too little memory. – But, on the other hand, this would create the problem of not being able to use my diverse docking stations and connecting devices in my cars, my office and at home – since these can not connect to the lightning connector ... – I'm really not sure what to do ..)

Thanks for the hint. – Yes, I know these adaptors – but don't like them. Besides from destroying the look of an upmaket sounddock if the iPod loosely hangs around instead of neatly being hold in the dock – any adaptor cable increases the probability of line of connector faults; especially in automotive use. – Nope, don't like this make-shift solution ... And, as you pointed out, the one-block solution is even worse ...

So, than i have to bite the bullet and open both my iPod again, try to interchange the hard disks and see what happens. (Oh, how i hate this fiddling around with these tiny flat cables ... :-( )