View the serial log when your player is booting and post it here. Empire should report a successful startup in the log, and we can test to make sure it is started correctly.

Also, you might have to hold your Palm fairly close to the IrDA port for it to work. Some have reported that their IR port on the Palm is pretty weak, my Tungsten C however can be used a few feet away. Try it at about 5 inches, inline.