I have a ipod touch 2nd gen..and have not used it in 2 years not on a new computer and it wont sync or download software. still running 2.2.1 I

You said : not on a new computer" did you mean now on new computer?

You have to do the following if you switched syncing computer.

Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities

When you restore from backup as it says your 2G will also be updated to iOS 4.2.1 provided that you have have iTunes 10 or later on the computer.

However, if your really hae a 1G, those will only go to 2.2 via iTunes and 3.1.3 by:

Purchasing iOS 3.1 Software Update for iPod touch (1st generation)

https://buy.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/touchLegacyLandingPage

Identifying iPod models

Like lllaass already said, you can update a 2G iPod to 4.2.1 and a 1G to 3.1.3. These outdated iDevices can't run actual versions of iOS.