Great answer (from 4 years ago, these devices don’t hang that often):
Try resetting it. That will work for many problems your iPod has. I have a 5th generation 60GB iPod video, and to reset mine, you have to
- hold down the top of the clickwheel (MENU) and the middle button at the same time.
- Keep them pressed down until your iPod shuts off (should take several seconds) and begins to start up again.
It can be difficult to hold both down at the same time, so I recommend using two hands.
–jeroen
via Apple ipod classic (80 gb) , hanged or frozen !!? – Yahoo! Answers.