Why is my iPod dying?

Has always mad a wirring sound. Stops playing for 10 seconds then resumes. Was only stopping when plugged into computer but is now doing it in my car as well. Both my work and home computer advise me to "scan and fix" when I plug it in. Unfortunately if I do this it wipes all the music off. Sometimes is slow to respond to commands. Example-I push play on the dial and it will take several seconds to start playing. Never did any of the above (execpt the wirring noise) before. Given the age I don't know if it is A) able to be fixed or B) worth fixing. Please advise.