ok....
power + d-pad center locks the device (n800), but fails to unlock.
at least it now pops up a message telling me to press the full screen button.
strange thing is that if i forget and hit the d-pad center the last program I selected using personal launcher is opened with the screen still locked.

also the battery status keeps pooping up every ten seconds or so taking the focus away from what I am doing and requiring me to tap the screen to get rid of it. very annoying.

edit: think I fixed the battery status by de-selecting "asui-battery" then reselecting it in "panels"....odd