i just got an ipod and in order to get itunes i need os 10.34 and i have os9. so i'm geussing i'm going to have to buy an upgrade or something. is there anyway to upgrade without having to erase all the files i have on my computer? what should i buy etc... i could really use some help.

try this...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120073

I'm not sure if the iPod you have will work with it though...the firmware may not be compatible with iTunes 2.0.4...but it's somethign to try, and it won't cost you anything to do so...I think it's possible to downgrade the firmware (I've never needed to do it), but a newer iPod will probably not accept or work with older firmware