My expected temporary fix for my iPod has shown its limitations: iPod won't sync as of this weekend and is exhibiting the One Infinite Click again.
Aggressively reseating* the hard drive worked, again, but I've got plans to order a HD (and battery, just for fun). Still doing a bit of research on whether it's worth trying to "go big" with a larger hd in the iPod.
Also, attempting to use CDs in the car is a strange thing to do.
Yaay, blogging.
* Oh, ps, there was one "technique" I left off of the One Infinite Click post - smacking the iPod. Yes, actually physically assaulting the thing is something that the internets recommends due to the Toshiba single-platter 20gb hds having a tendancy to get "stuck." A "stuck" hd is not a good thing, clearly, but resuscitating the thing so that cost/benefit replacement ratios can be debated isn't terrible. Thwaping it means it's going down anyhow, might as well get some pleasure out of it. And, yes, I did hit the crap out of the hd to make it work.