Windows 7 Pro 64-bit does not recognize iPod Shuffle (4th Gen)

I have tried every trouble-shooting recommendation, suggestion, guess, etc. that I could find related to this issue and have had zero success getting either of my two computers to see a brand new iPod Shuffle (4th gen). I have gone through all of the steps in http://www.apple.com/support/ipodshuffle/assistant/itunes/ and http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1369 with no progress. I have tried 7 USB ports on two different computers (both running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit). The iPod Shuffle's little light stays a solid green when plugged into the port. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the latest version of iTunes. In Device Manager, I have uninstalled all USB devices. I have turned off all firewalls and virus protection. I have run Windows Update. I have verified that the Applie Mobile Device Driver is running. I have reset the iPod Shuffle.

When I plug the iPod Shuffle into the computer, no notification pops up, no new device shows up in the Device Manager or My Computer, and no device is displayed in iTunes under Devices. If I scan for new hardware, I get nothing. I even found a proprietary software that verifies communication between the computer and iPod - the result was that "no iPod is connected".

Please help.