This is the tutorial I used to get gtkPod and Ipod friendly with one another, and I used this on my desktop, 8.10 install. My 9.04 install is on my laptop which is for pure work.

http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/07...pod-in-ubuntu/

RhythmBox works fine for me as well.

Here's some links to ponder on. Look at the post of nanikusasaki at the ubuntu forum thread (second link). Honestly, I can't remember if I did place my wife's ipod in disc mode. I may have (I remember having to do something with the Ipod) but I'm not sure right now. Sorry, It's been a while....and I haven't had any ipod crashes to re-work on.

http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/07...pod-in-ubuntu/
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/inde...t-1015438.html

to put in disc mode:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363

Hope this can help.

Regards.