my computer doesn't recognize my ipod shuffle when i plug it into my usb port. Does anyone have any suggestions on what i should do?

Which generation? (1st = White stick thing, 2nd and 3rd = Clippy ones)

I have a 2nd gen clippy one, and if I pop it any computer apart from the one I loaded music on with, iTunes pops up, tells me do I want to erase it bal bla bla, and when i say no it just ejects it, meaning it does appear in "my computer" at all.

have you tried going on to the control panel and clicking add new software it should scan for uninstalled items including your ipod