dang that really sucks. All I know is the crappy one I have has stayed strong for the year and 1/2 iv had it although I can't say the same for the ear phones that came with it. My only problem with mine is that its memory capacity sucks ass. I can hardly hold 40 songs. >_> although.....that is about to change since I by chance found another one just lying outside and it had a extra memory card thing for them in it.

My dad on the other hand had an iPod from 2 years ago. He bought the warranty for it which was 2 years I think and... guess what? shortly after that 2 year mark *BANG* the damn thing starts to have problems with it and eventually it doesn't charge for some reason. But now he is testing out one of the iPod Video's.
I hope to get a new good MP3 player soon. Hopefully a Creative of some type as I have heard good things about those.
sucks about your luck Wess. but surely like TB has said that you got a warranty on it that covers what happened?