Okay. I read the previous thread on this, but i have a couple questions..

1. Installed emelFM2
2. Grabbed the files qgn_indi_nokia_hands.jpg and qgn_indi_startup_nokia_logo.png. from /usr/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/hildon/
3. Dabbled them up in Photoshop to be all pretty and such.
4. Resaved as same names (kept copy of originals just in case)
5. stuck them back on the tablet via sd card.

Now, I'm a noob. I don't have root, and get access denied.

What's the quickest way to get root or replace these two files?

You need to be root. Search it.

Look in the wikis here and at maemo. There is an app called gainroot or something to make it easy.