You'd need a video to see how the error sequence goes. You can find them on Youtube. Once that happens, it won't even try to boot up the OS without a hardware reset.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVXzN7jCcRA
I could try the whole warranty extension through Visa, but I don't want a refund/new replacement; I'd only be interested in getting a refurbed 60GB unit, and that's only going to happen through the Sony service department (or if I find a working MoBo and PSU on Ebay, since I don't know which is the burnt out part and replace it myself).