thx for the help, i've done it
some afterthoughts:
1) cf card MUST be formated by a CARD READER or CF card adaptor, PPC software (like Storage tools and Flash Format) dont work.
2) when i was reflashing my rom, i need to hold down my stylus on the reset button, while releasing the record button. If i release both the machine turns itself off.
3) posts on the web say you need to turn off the machine 1st to do a rom reflash, not in my case. When my machine is off, pressing record and reset together has no effect. I have to turn it on b4 i do that.