ipod shuffle 1st generation

This is my second used ipod shuffle 1st generation.
I don't know if I'm stupid, crazy, or terribly
unlucky at this point, but I can't get the thing to
play (No problems with my video ipod ever !)I've
done everything in the manual. I've loaded it
through iTunes and it shows that the podcasts are on
there and the guide at the bottom shows that it's
3/4 full. It's charged. I unplug it from the USB
shove the head phones in, turn it on (the little
battery light shows it's getting juice)I press
play...nothing. I go through all the steps of
restoring ect. ad nauseum....nothing ! I press play
again (maybe it's on pause???....nothing! I turn it
up...I advance to the next
track?....nothing...nothing....nothing)

Since the exact thing is happening with this one (the
second one), and I've spent hours troubleshooting
them I don't know what else to do but give up and cry
into my beer.

Help !