To answer the question of persistence vs. starting over...in this case, persistence pays off. Now I have a documented process as to what it would take to get my system back with my current backup process. Now I need to decide if this is sufficient or if I need to create a better plan.
A few things didn't work as well as I had planned, but as far as system configurations, I don't have to start over. I hate installing software (clicking through installation wizards, entering license keys, finding the install cd, etc.) but this current process I am using takes the better part of a day to recover. Hmm...I'll have to take that into consideration.