Spark - yes, I was a little delusional by the time I got it working, so my post wasn't exactly what we were asking for, LOL.
Launch DOP-IOS - I had it from the original installation of the SoftMod. Open it, and you see a IOS to select. Move it all the way to the left. Some of the IOS will say "stub" - I read that those ones you do NOT want to mess with. The others will show you which version you are on, which version is latest, and the original version. I had to update (I believe) eight IOS's. I did not do IOS 36 because Trucha Bug Restorer can do that, and I just didn't want to risk it. You might be able to just run a IOS 36 update from DOP-IOS and then say yes to the hash check. To confirm, I did not hash check any of the other IOS's. I read the only two that need them are IOS 36 and IOS 60. If you do the Trucha Bug Restorer route, just follow directions from any website or video that shows you how to use it.
After all that is done, get the latest USB Loader GX (717 is what downloaded for me from the update server - if you had it as a WAD, there is a procedure for that on the USB Loader GX website that is super easy). I reinstalled Hermes at this point, but don't know if it was necessary. I thought it would be better to merge the newer IOS's. And then, just make sure you have it load off that Hermes 223 IOS once you're in USB Loader GX with 002 Fix on, and I had selected Block IOS Reload but not sure if I needed that.
Worked like a charm, loading right off of USB Loader GX, but I was worried at first because I didn't know if modifying all these IOS's was dangerous. I guess updating them doesn't hurt.