File with exclamation mark

I have a 10gb Ipod and it doesn't seem to want to charge as the file with exclamation mark appears.
I have taken it to the mac store, and have tried to get a genius to look at it but can never get an apoinment.
Am I wasting time trying to get into see them, in turn should I just throw the ipod out and buy a new one??

Here you go: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61003

That happend to me when i formatted mine using windows explorer on my old PC. it deletes important files that the firmware restore doesnt. You have to ship it back to apple, if it is indeed that. When did it start and how did it happen ?