Also, I strongly recommend to use Raspberry Pi Pico and Pomona Clip, please do NOT use CH341A, it is absolutely crap!

Thanks for the update and clarification! I think I will toss the CH341A since I'm not savvy enough to do the 3.3v mod to make it safe. The quality is also suspect. I should have read further in your guide as the rest of the steps have details on getting rid of ME. Appreciate the guide, it is giving me confidence that I can actually do this!