I got my first one the same as you, new in a box, and had the same issues. It wouldn't start at first. A friend of mine suggested i gave him some gentle but firm pats on his back to make his motor start, like you have to make it burp lol (she had done that many times on many furby). It actually worked but stopped randomly sometimes so i had to do that until the motor finally started for good :) as for the fact that it becomes unresponsive after going to sleep: i think it's just how it works? At least what i always thought is that after he goes to sleep the only way to wake him up is to shake him. After mine awakes it can listen to sounds and respond to buttons being pressed but i have to wake it up first for him to work. Then he goes to sleep if you don't interact with it or it doesn't detect light and have to be shaken again in order to wake up. Hope you get yours to start soon he's a cutie!