Ongoing ThumbJam and iRig Keys saga

Hi all, Here is what I hope will be the final installment of my iRig Keys saga, and that everything will be working as it should within the next few days, as i've only got a few more days to return the unit if it doesn't work. The ThumbJam developer give me the step by step instructions to set up the iRig Keys: Go to Prefs/Midi Control/Midi Input Connections, but when my dad went there, ThumbJam wouldn't recognize my iRig Keys. The blue light that the manual said was supposed to turn on won't turn on at all. Of course, the manual doesn't mention ThumbJam from what my dad read of it, but it did say that when I had the unit plugged into my iDevice (which in my case is an iPod Touch 4th gen running iOS 6.1.2), and when IK Multimedia's SampleTank app was installed and running, the blue light would appear and I would be able to play the instruments on SampleTank right away using the iRig Keys. But of course, when I installed SampleTank and ran it (and by the way it's not all that accessible from what i could see), it didn't recognize the iRig Keys either!!! Part of me doesn't have a clue what I'm doing or what I need to do, and part of me is under the impression that either my unit or the cable that connects the keyboard to the doc connector may be defective. I don't want to judge without knowing the facts, but there are a couple of weird things going on: First, when the iRig Keys is plugged into the iPod Touch, I do not hear any sound whatsoever from the iPod, whether it be from VO or any other system sounds. Even when i use headphones or external speakers, no sound whatsoever. Also, my dad showed me how to connect the round end of the cable to the port at the back near the left hand side of the keyboard, and I was able to gently and carefully fit it in to the port. But that round end feels very loose, but my dad says none of the pins seem to be broken or bent. But anyway I'm wondering if that might be causing the issue? Also, do I have to register my iRig Keys? I'm just worried that I won't be able to return it if it's registered, and it said something in the manual about registering the product, but I didn't quite understand if it is necessary in order for it to work? The folks at the store where I bought it from are not familiar with ThumbJam nor SampleTank so they weren't able to help me. I suppose that's what I get for buying something without trying it first! Also, I was wondering what the 5 buttons along the top of the keyboard do, as well as the knob and the two weels? I presume that the knob is a volume nob and that one of the wheels is a pitch bend wheel, but I'm not sure if that's what they're for and what the five square rubber buttons are for. Perhaps someone could give a physical description and explain what all the controls are for, that would be a great help! Anyway, if any of you could give me any tips and suggestions, that would be great! I appreciate your help! Thank you in advance! Please pardon my rambling and run-on sentences, I'm just very confused and a bit afraid that I bought something that is beyond my level of technological know-how. Take care all, I look forward to hearing from you soon! Cheers, Siena.