Hey Ndanger, You bought your iPod from a "high street store"-- What's a high street store? Was it an Apple store or some other retailer or a pawn shop? And just to be clear you did not register your iPod at time of purchase, correct? And you did not save the receipt?!? If not an Apple store, and you did not register and you do not have a receipt your S.O.L.! But... Your not dead yet. Have you tried going back to the high street store and ask in person for a copy of the receipt? If you know the date and it was recent they may be willing to print you a copy or at least give you some prove of purchase. It's a long shot, but what do you have to loose. Hope this helps. Cheers.