Thanks to user DOAN for helping me out on this one.. Apparently my issue was not with the phone or software but with the cable. I was using the USB to phone/stereo headset adaptor and then attaching the phone to this adaptor.. It works fine with ActiveSync but the bootloader doesnt see the phone with this extra connector in the way.. Once I removed the stereo headset adaptor and plugged the phone directly to the usb, it worked fine.. Using NSRAM's latest rom and loving it. Also thanks to DOAN for the new BELL +GPS Rom.. And to all that tried to help.
Just thought I would post my results in the event this happens to someone else, we'll have something else to ensure they check.