iPod nano 1st gen flickering between different modes, unable to restore?

I'm assuming it may be a software issue, but the problem is, I try to plug it into my PC [windows 11 pro] and the iPod flickers between the apple logo, the disk with an exclamation mark, and the "do not disconnect" screen. So, I put it into disk mode, and it lets me disconnect it, but once I let go of the buttons, it goes back to its flickering between modes again. My computer hasn't been able to detect it, to which I assume means the iPod itself is scrap, because I've updated apple devices and iTunes, and yet it doesn't appear. This is a 1st gen nano, which is SUPER old, but I'm trying to fix it again.