Actually, if you start emplode with the empeg connected it'll show the empeg but won't be able to connect. Hit "Cancel"; Unplug the empeg and immediately plug it back in. "File", "Open Player Database" then select your empeg...it works every time for me.

I discovered this while downloading a boatload of 320kbps mp3's from the RIO Central to my Iomega 20GB Peerless drive by night and uploading the mp3's from the peerless to the empeg at the office by day. I didn't have an extra ethernet connection at my desk so the only alternative was USB with emplode.