While going through the downloads section on Microsoft's site, I came across the following:
Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 Evaluation Edition
Now I think to myself "hey, I'm willing to bet that there's at least some rudimentary support in there for my Axim, and I can probably just reflash it back to 2003SE if it buys the farm." Well to my surprise and edification, there's support in there for a bunch of platforms, including ARM41, which IIRC is what's on the 3835.
So I'm currently downloading and installing (it's a live installer) CE 5.0 aka Magneto aka Windows Mobile 2005. If all goes well it'll be on my h3835 and Axim x50v before I send it out to get the screen fixed, if only to screw with the techs at pocketpcrepair.com.
Will post results as soon as I have them.