iPod not recognized by Windows?

My iPod classic 160Gb is not being recognized by my windows PC (tried several with XP, 7 and 8)

It just comes up as unrecognized USB device with a malfunctioned pop-up.

In device manager is says unknown device under Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

The iPod charges when connected with a Power Cord but not on USB-->Computer.

I have tried everything from re installing iTunes drivers etc. Resetting iPod putting it in disk mode etc. Different don't help as well.

For the rest it works like a charm, the music plays and everything works except connecting it to a computer.

It seems like the connector just won't recognize the USB cable properly or something.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for solving this problem or do I have a dead iPod?