My computer recently crashed. This was the computer to which my iPod shuffle was connected to/had its account on. I got a new laptop (Sony Vaio). I wanted to hook my iPod up to it instead.

In the past, when I've done this with other iPods, a dialogue box would pop up and say "This iPod has its library on another computer. Would you like to a) erase and synq or b) transfer purchases to this computer?" I was expecting this, then I would just transfer my purchased songs to this new computer. Follow me?

Well, this time, that box didn't come up. Instead, I was asked to download iTunes software (which I have) to the computer. OK, no big deal. Then, I am asked to plug in my iPod. When I do, it starts "resetting iPod." I didn't want it reset, so I canceled. When I did this, it was too late; all my songs had been erased, and my account (with money on it) was deleted.

I contacted Apple, and customer service said in order to find my account, I simply have to go to iTunes music store, find a song I brought with my account, and get all the info (account number, email, password, etc.)from the summary page of that song. Still with me?

OK, so I go to the summary page of a song, and there's no info. No account name, password, nothing that shows I even bought the thing. Apple can't help me any furthur (as they have nothing to go on--I gave them what I thought should be my account info).

Does anyone know how I can recover my account? Sorry this was a long story.