Okay, so all is fine now! :)
I thought to myself, "Hmmmn... I tried changing and patching all the seemingly relevant files (MAIN, FS), but nothing seems to happen, so what am I overlooking?"
In digging a little deeper, I saw that the GDFS file WAS actually a significant factor in all of the unlocking/debranding etc!!
I re-wrote my GDFS file to my phone, and voila! Networks are detected again, phone is unlocked + quadband + debranded. :D
I guess in the stress of all that was going on with my phone (and in my home the past few days), my analytical abilities went down.
Either way, thanks to all who tried to help!
I'm off to "work"! now. ;)
Have a great evening everybody!