Totally bizarre guys. I GOT IT WORKING!!
Had the exact same issues as everyone else.
Thought it must be the battery. Changed it.
Tried to power on get the apple logo then disappears.
Tried holding power and navigation button screen blinks then nothing.
Tried this several times. Then it occurred to me.
Hold the power button on the apple logo comes up keep holding it till the apple logo goes away. WAIT for a few more seconds...
Now WHILST holding the power button STILL press and hold the navigation button and keep holding it.
It will then showup the apple logo again keep holding it....
The screen goes blank (it does not blink)
Then the connect to itunes screen comes up and its business as usual restore method.
Hope this helps people.