This is just an information for thouse, whose also got the player hanging with the "Kernel Panic, unable to mount" error, that I've also got with my new shipped player and how I fixed it:

I opened the case and just plugged the secondrary IDE connector to the HD and everything worked fine!
BTW: I've got of the glue in _one_ piece... ;-)

Questions related to this:
-Is this a "proper" way, or should I completly replace the cable?

-For a cable replacing, will an normaly notebook IDE cable do, or hould I "orde"r one from RIO support?

Email support (see FAQ) and David will likely ship you a replacement. You probably should have called before opening the empeg, as you technically voided the warranty, but I doubt it'll be a big problem.

-Is this a "proper" way, or should I completly replace the cable?

That question is covered here. Only do this as a stop-gap measure while waiting for a replacement. The cable is a custom-crimped part and replacements must be ordered directly from support. Please contact them.