2nd Generation Help?

It's not clear if this is something that worked before, and it is no longer working, OR if this iPod shuffle has never been used with this computer before.

If the shuffle works with a different computer, using the same USB cable, it is probably your computer. It says "Windows XP" in your profile. If this is not something you had working before with this computer, does your computer meet the system requirements listed here?

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP27

(where it says "Windows system requirements")

After the reformat, you installed the latest version of iTunes (10.6.3)?

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

It says system requirements for Windows is Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later. The tech specs for the 2nd gen iPod also has the same requirements for Windows. Does your Windows installation (after the reformat) have all the available updates installed?

If the latest version of iTunes runs on it, I think your Windows should be updated enough to use with an iPod shuffle 2nd gen. If it's Windows XP, you can check by going to Control Panels (from the Start button), then going to System. It should say you have Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3.

And installing iTunes should install the Apple-provided components needed to use with an iPod.

Also, I want to confirm what you said earlier, about your shuffle working with other computers, but not your computer.

You checked that after reinstalling Windows XP (after the reformat), it was updated to at least Service Pack 2?

Also, I would try shutting down and disconnecting ALL USB devices (including any USB hub), except for a standard mouse and keyboard. Then, start it back up. Run iTunes. Connect the shuffle to a direct USB port on computer. I'm thinking maybe there is a USB device conflict between the shuffle and something else that you have connected.

Since the shuffle works with other computers, it is obviously some problem on your computer...

I have the same issue with my wife's iPod Shuffle (2nd gen) runniung Windows 7. Always used to connect and now it doesn't. It's as if the driver for iPod Shuffle 2nd gen has been deleted from the OS / iTunes not configured to be backward compatable. Any further ideas on what's causing this?

In your case, does the shuffle work with other computers. There are a few possibilities for it not connecting, but if it works with another computer (like with the original poster), then the iPod itself is probably OK. That narrows down possible causes to things related to the computer.