do you mean bootloader mode....
Look around there is some program or programs that you need to force that thing out of bootloader.
Also you should not have it cradled when you try to update rom. You need to have it connected directly to the computer with a usb cable. Also you dont use activesync to update there is a stand alone program that does that with the kitchen.
Hope this helps. It doesnt sound like its bricked.
Heres the link to get it out of bootloader if a soft or hard reset doesnt fix the problem
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=7049