i have an ipod touch that is amounted with WAY to many minutes and we do not know the password. i would reset it with itunes but i cannot turn it off for the top lock button doesnt work. how do i restore it to factory settings or fix the lock button?

I have an ipod touch that i would like to restore to factory settings. Having said that the ipod is locked for over 1,000 minutes and i do not know the password. I know the trick of holding down the lock button and home button at the same time until the "Connect to iTunes" message pops up, but the lock button on my ipod does not work. Is there anything i could do? I really could use some help im very stuck!