I'm not sure what to you mean by a hardware issue. The computer works fine and so does the ipod. The ipod just will not talk to any PC. Is it possible to reset the ipod? The computer shows this diagnostic result
Microsoft Windows 7 x64 Business Edition Service Pack 1 (Build 7601)
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. G73Jh
iTunes 12.3.3.17
QuickTime not available
FairPlay 2.10.5
Apple Application Support 4.3
iPod Updater Library 12.0
CD Driver 2.2.3.0
CD Driver DLL 2.1.3.1
Apple Mobile Device 9.3.0.15
Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.67.0.0
Bonjour 3.1.0.1 (333.18)
Gracenote SDK 3.06.1.3084
Gracenote MusicID 3.06.1.3084
Gracenote Submit 3.06.1.3084
Gracenote DSP 3.06.1.3084
iTunes Serial Number 000000001515DE9C
Current user is an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2016-03-23 22:06:21.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.
WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.
HDCP is supported.
Core Media is supported.
Video Display Information
ATI Technologies Inc., ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870
**** External Plug-ins Information ****
No external plug-ins installed.
**** Device Connectivity Tests ****
iPodService 12.3.3.17 (x64) is currently running.
iTunesHelper 12.3.3.17 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device Service service 3.3.0.0 is currently running.
Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B34. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B3C. Device is working properly.
No FireWire (IEEE 1394) Host Controller found.
Most Recent Devices Not Currently Connected:
iPod touch running firmware version 1.1.5
Serial Number: 9C81480Q0JW
**** Device Sync Tests ****
No iPod, iPhone, or iPad found.