Thank you, Lagagnon, for your reply. As it is, I ended up reinstalling lm-sensors
and starting over.
I just finished testing it and it seems to be working now. One way I can tell is
that the bottom of the computer cools off now after being in suspend for a while.
It never does heat up terrible, my core temps are both at about 48 degrees celcius
almost all the time, but it is noticable enough around the touchpad area to be
able to tell when it's been on or off for a while.

Thanks again for your reply.. now, if I can just get the built in cam corder to work
I'll be one happy camper with Vector on this new laptop.

- Jerry