Touch stuck in command-like booting screen

[Google Code Exporter]

What steps will reproduce the problem?
1. Not sure, but install iNdependence
2. After full restore, cancel itunes sync
3. Click jailbreak button on iNdependence

What is the expected output? What do you see instead?
I expected a working jailbreak result. Instead, my iPod, after numerous resets 
(lock button/home 
button) immediately goes into a command prompt-like screen where it rattles off 
all its booting 
actions. It then gets stuck at random points after it lists the MAC address 
etc. The only thing I'm 
able to do to get a reaction out of it is to plug in or unplug the connector 
cable. When it's in, it 
recognizes it and says (among other code blabber): "gated_cable is connected, 
starting stack" 
followed by "startIpodStack can't start! Need configuration"

Regardless of what I do or do not do, however, the iPod continuously lists the 
following:
"BSD root: md0, major 2, minor 0" until I reset it.

What version of the product are you using? On what operating system?
I used v1.4 beta 5 on Mac OS X 10.5.2

Please provide any additional information below.
I don't care how to get the jailbreak to work at this point. Please, just help 
me get my iPod back 
to its factory default (or any working state).

Original issue reported on code.google.com by [e-mail] on 5 Mar 2008 at 11:35