Yeah, so, when I went to re-install the OS this time, It started up, then I got a totally gray screen with 'ERROR' in big, red letters.... so I took it too BB (yay warranty) and the geeksquad guy did a few tests, and agreed that there's a physical problem with the hard drive. SO my main compy's gonna be in the shop for a couple of weeks.

...just letting the couple of you who care know...