Classic iPod stuck "verifying" in iTunes

Hi all, I have a problem I hope you can hope with.

I have an iPod Classic 160GB that has recently stopped working with iTunes, after a couple of years with no problems. On plugging it in, iTunes gets stuck on the message "Verifying iPod", and does nothing. I've tried all sorts of things to fix this, including:

- resetting the iPod

- a complete, clean reinstall of iTunes

- leaving it overnight

- running a scan of the iPod's HDD, both in Windows and using the iPod's own diagnostics (all is fine)

- running in disk mode

Nothing works. I really want to avoid reformatting the iPod if possible as I don't trust the restore of music to go smoothly. But right now it's impossible to manage my music properly.

I see a few other people have had this problem over the years, but none of the proposed solutions works for me. Any help much appreciated!

I'm using Windows 10, and the latest version of iTunes.

Tom