Concerning the USB problem, I've also had a similar problem with my setup (emplode w/WinXP). But I found that it connects perfectly if I unplug the USB from the player as Emplode is trying to locate it, then plug it in after about 5 seconds of watching it search for it.

For some reason, this isn't the case with JEmplode. It finds it fine everytime (NOT AN ENDORSEMENT! hehe)