btw I have no clue bout the spinning wheel other than what you discovered, I use a early 2008 white 13.3" Macbook, basically the one with the Peyrene (spelling?) chipset and X3100 graphic chip.
If you plan on walking into the Apple Store (which usually does help btw since they try to resolve the issue there so there's no hold up, or pissy people in the face of potential buyers since everyone is in the same room), go online to Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar find your local apple stop from the drop down and schedule an appointment. That way when you goto walk in you're not told to do the same thing I just showed you there in the store.
Yeah.. Just did.. Just came back from the Store. I will bring it to work Monday and take it t the store... Thx