Thanks, ianymaty.. I tried this Build option using a Win98 boot instead of Vista and it didn't work. It just booted & dropped into DOS without access to the DVD drive to kick off the Win 7 install.. It was kind of weird as I even tried unplugging all HDDs/SSDs and when it booted it showed all DOS files on the C: drive but none of the files from the DVD itself. Somehow it looked like it had created a "virtual" C drive with just DOS files but no access to the Win7 setup files on the DVD.
However, I'll try following these instructions exactly in about an hour and cross my fingers it will work.. Will get back to you on results. Thanks!