I'm actually inclined to agree with you. I think it's a problem on the phone itself, although I can't imagine how or what is wrong. I can get root no problem on other basebands...
We found out that when I flash the last update.zip, the one that is supposed to give the expected error, I got the error, and then when I did adb, I got #. (root access). but it's only temporary root access. and I can't mount the system or the sdcard. -_- so I don't know.
yes, perhaps this weekend would work better. I'm good on friday night. or saturday morning.