If you have 1.03 still on your empeg and you're trying to use USB with emplode on WindowsXP, this is your problem. The older USB driver for the empeg doesn't work in WindowsXP.

Download and install version 2.0 software from here, following the instructions for fixing USB support, or get a crossover cable at CompUSA (cheapest available for pickup) for your ethernet card. That's probably your easiest route.