Kernels you just install like update.zip
setcpu is free if you get it from the official repo, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=505419, just register and you are set.
Heh, Ti has one of the easiest languages possible, until you start working with assembly.
And I did a nice textbased texas holdem on my Ti83 but pacman is pretty impressive.
Heh, its actually very nice looking and functioning. I dislike car home, but it isn't the micro usb plug that does it, its magnets positioned in certain spots. I COULD make it do that if I really wanted. I'll get a picture of it all sometime.
Mechanical fail would be incredibly difficult to replace.
If its a controller fail or something else otherwise, you can replace the boards on HDDs without too much trouble. Just buy the same exact drive. The boards are usually held on buy a few screws and little push-in connectors.