i am trying to hookup some mini ac/dc external speakers to my ipod and
they don't seem to work will the apple ipod video accept little portable sony
speakers?  Also can't seem to reformat my ipod to clear it of everything in it...

The output of the iPod is (compatible with) a standard headphone jack.
 Any speakers with a standard headphone plug (ie., an 1/8" stereo
phone jack) will fit physically.  Unpowered speakers won't work, but
if you have to plug in your speakers or run them on batteries, it
ought to be fine.  If you plug the speakers directly into the iPod,
the volume will be controlled by the iPod volume (as well as the
speakers).  The "Line Out" jack on the iPod dock, however, provides
line-level audio regardless of the volume settings.  This is best for
speakers.

As for reformatting the iPod, get the latest updater for your model
from <http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/>, then run the updater and
choose "Restore".  Remember: this will erase everything, music and
all, and return the iPod to factory settings.

More detailed instructions can be found at
<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983>.

Peeja

I have a 30GB iPod Video and often use it with unpowered Sony portable
speakers (they have a standard headphone jack).  It drains the power a
bit faster than headphones... but it works well.