Ok, I go to plug in my new iPod. Computer's on, the other end is plugged into the iPod. I start to plug in the USB, and my computer shuts off for no reason. I finish plugging it in, and turn on my computer. Then I noticed: My iPod's screen is blank white. The whole thing- wiped. I tried to trouble fix it by reading the thing online. In the process, I wound up unplugging it and plugging it back in several times- same story. Then I notice that if the USB end gets NEAR the computer, as in several inches away from the USB port, the thing shuts off. So I plug it in while the computer is off, and everything works fine. iPod restored.
WHAT. THE. HELL.