I had the same problem. Only right out of the box. The problem... badly crimped/loose HD cable.
Solution: I opened up my Empeg and gently straigten the wire a bit and push the cable back completly connecting it to the drive. I also called empeg and their sending me a new cable since this on still cuts out once and a while.

This might be your problem.. the cable could have had a connection then lost it after a bit and thats why your empeg is saying there is no drive, etc...

-Greg