Thanks for the response, xl97.
A couple of follow-up questions:
uploaded the Optiloader sketch to my Arduino.
Where did you get that sketch? It wasn't in the optiboot_v4_4.zip file that I downloaded from the optiboot website: Google Code Archive - Long-term storage for Google Code Project Hosting.
power it up.. it will auto detect the board/chip you have connected (if there is support for it).. and write the Optiloader 'bootloader' to the blank chip. (it will output a message on the serial monitor through the IDE if you want to read/check)
I'm assuming that you still select the Tools -> Burn Bootloader (the bootloader doesn't get burned automatically, upon powering up Arduino Due 2009, right? More importantly, are you saying that I'll be able to confirm that the proper optiboot_atmega328.hex bootloader file was loaded... by seeing the serial monitor, not the bottom section of the Arduino IDE window?
Sorry for the dumb questions, but do appreciate your help!