PPCGeeks - Mac/PC wont recgonize Pre

I am trying to do the bypass activation part of that tutorial, but i dont understand how you can, when the mac or pc can't even see the phone, because it has to be activated in order to do so, i am assuming(am i wrong?)
So my question is, how am i suppose to "root" the pre, if i can't even bring up the hardware on my PC/Mac

I have tried Doubletwist,spanning sync,google sync

I have textwrangler to help modify the code, i have the SDK kit.

Will the Palm emulator help? I have used the search function, so please don't ignore my post, or come in here screaming at me to do so. I really need this phone to be working, i sold my TP to get this thing, i didn't think it would be this tough. Oh i got it off Craigslist, so i dont have an installation CD, which i know would make this easier.

Please help me guys, i need my phone and i am just frustrated right now](*,)