Well: After going through all RoadMapGPS related posts, I got the solution. Since I extracted the usdir.rdm file on my local PC, and then transfered it to the EMPEG, either the unzipper or the ftper must have corrected for CR/LFs, and inadvertently corrupted the file. Once I ftp'd the tar file over, and extracted on the EMPEG, all is working! -- WooHoo!