Worked!
Should it be of any value to future production/troubleshooting:

Formatted in FAT32
Using SanDisk 2GB micro SD
Did as instructed to by replacing .txt file (delete DEFAULT.txt "file" (as in, not "text-in-file") and drop in supplied .txt file.

As stated, took some time to load up once it did same issues:
buttons are wacked out, no data connections with mic or earpiece. Attempted call to caller ID capable phone. The receiving phone showed my number. Lock screen freezes too.

Could be great once its done.