There is a bit more to my dilemma than this but I'm going to throw something out that I haven't seen anyone cover yet.
When you try to upgrade your kernel and get the dreaded black screen after the splash screen, it doesn't mean your phone is off. It just means you don't have video. I had that problem and had an idea to connect the USB cable to it to see if it was in fact powered on. I heard the connect beeps. So while it was connected I put it in download mode and installed the right kernel. It may take you several times of trying to get download mode to show up or may not.
I have my bricked phone working again now.
YMMV
When you try to upgrade your kernel and get the dreaded black screen after the splash screen, it doesn't mean your phone is off. It just means you don't have video. I had that problem and had an idea to connect the USB cable to it to see if it was in fact powered on. I heard the connect beeps. So while it was connected I put it in download mode and installed the right kernel. It may take you several times of trying to get download mode to show up or may not.
I have my bricked phone working again now.
YMMV