I need help with my iPod Touch?

I just got an iPod touch for my birthday yesterday, and I SERIOUSLY need help with it. Like, a lot. First, I plugged the USB cable into my computer and got on iTunes so I could put music on it, and I got 25% into the download when it closed because the Internet disconnected! I can't get it to do anything now. I have an HP Pavilion, is that bad? Also, is iTunes the only way you can get music on the iPod, or can you scan CDs on a computer and sync them onto it? I need so much help, I'm getting so frustrated! If somebody could just tell me the whole process of at least getting it past the screen that has a USB cable pointing to 'iTunes" I would really appreciate it. Please, help me! Thank you!