I've just posted an update to yesterday's call for help. Since that one has long since scrolled off the list, and since I was asked to keep all you wunnerful geeks apprised of the situation, I thought I'd just put this up to let you know that yesterday's diary has now been updated.
Don't bother commenting here, if you have additional comments, just add 'em there.
My thanks to everyone who showed up in that diary to offer help. And no, otto, the problem isn't cat hair. :-P