Q: how do i restart my ipod if i dont know the password

Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201263
and then connect to your computer and restore via iTunes. The iPod will be erased.
If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204306
If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
https://geekindisguise.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/how-to-put-ipod-touch-iphone-int o-dfu-mode/

For how to restore:
Use iTunes to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201252
To restore from backup see:
Restore your device from an iCloud or iTunes backup - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204184
If you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.
You can redownload most iTunes purchases by: 
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store        
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201272

If problem what happens or does not happen and when in the instructions? When you successfully get the iPod in recovery mode and connect to computer iTunes should say it found an iPod in recovery mode.

or
If you previously turned on FIndMyiPod on the iPod in Settings>iCloud and wifi is on and connected go to iCloud: Find My iPhone,
sign in and go to FIndMyiPhone
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH2696?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US
and use Remote Wipe
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH2701?locale=en_US
to erase the contents of your device. If you have been using iCloud to back up,
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH12519?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US
you may be able to restore the most recent backup to reset the passcode after the device has been erased.
You can also wipe the iOS device by installing the FindMyiPhone app on another iOS device and using that app to wipe the device.

Be careful- if you put the wrong passcode in more than six times, it will sometimes lock itself for 21+ million minutes- around 40 years. I know because it happened to me and I am still trying to find a way into it. It had a lot of valuable data on it and hadn't been synced.

Plug into a Windows computer

Open My Computer

Enable viewing hidden files

Go to iPod_control

Click on the Device folder

Rename file _locked to _unlocked

Remove iPod

this works for most people. good luck!