How can I keep data on a disabled 2nd Gen iPod Touch?

Nicholas Hayden , here is a copy of my answer to a very similar question "

Connect the iPod to your PC using the supplied USB cord.

Open iTunes if it did not open automatically.

Click the Options button in the lower right corner of the iTunes window.

Click Enable USB Disk Use.

Go to My Computer and select your iPod.

Select Tools and click on the folder option.

Select the View tab

Select Show hidden files and folders.

Search for the "Ipod_Control" folder aka Settings

Look in a folder that is sometimes called "Device" and find a file named "_locked".

Change the file name "_locked" to "_unlocked".

Your iPod should now function properly. Also, make sure you disable iTunes from auto syncing. The other thing, you might look at this and try it. Hope this helps, good luck.