Interesting reading this.. just 2 days ago I had exactly the same experience: lockup while driving, pull-out-push-in, 'Failed to unmask IDE' message. After having it removed for a few minutes, play flawlessly. Before, it had played for 2-3 weeks in the car without problems.

Reading the suggested possible causes further elsewhere in this tread, I'm still not sure what would have caused it: this unit has never been opened before (backup unit).

If you find out more during your tests, could you post the results in this tread as well?

Jelle