Yeah, I did include an ethernet cable in the install, and Hijack updates (as well as player software .upgrade files) can all be applied over ethernet. My "upgrader" program for .upgrade files works on Linux, OSX, and Win32.

But I did not include a serial cable, something that I may regret. Anything that serious, and I'll pull out the CF card (requires removing one piece of trim) and debug it on another player.

If it turns out to be hardware fault with the empeg, then I also have to remove the factory radio to get the player out again. Deep burial!