WOW! i think it actually DID work! at first i couldn't get any response other than entering the bootloader. but then i plugged it into the battery charger for a while. went and had dinner, came back ready to try getting into the bootloader again....and when i pushed the power button once, a pretty light blue factory reset sign-in screen asking for my login for wifi popped up! i just reconfigured everything, seems fine. i checked the build version in the "about" and it matches the one i just installed with a date of jan. 8 2015 for the build.
i did notice it felt a little warm on the back though...but i could be imagining things. plus we're having a heat wave, so it's warm here anyway (no A/C in the house lol). i'll keep an eye on it and report back any problems.