Okay random or shuffle will only shuffle the playlist you are in so if you want to shuffle everything what to do is push the down button three times (push down to get menu,push down to select playlists, push down to play everything).

Now it will start playing everything on the player now if you tell it to shuffle then everything will shuffle.

As to com 1 not working i have no idea you have told emplode to search over com 1 also you have got the cable plugged into com 1?

You might try to connect throuh hyperterminal

Another thing is if you have an early mk2 they came with the wrong cable. But if it was that old the cable would of been replaced.

The empeg has a huge amount of features it will take you an age to discover them all I learnt by playing with it.

Go over to the empeg FAQ over at riocar it is brilliant

If you feel very rich come over to the owners meet and you will learn loads