Ok. What I've done so far.... Factory reset on Touch (original model). Did not perform setup, instead attached device to PC, copied over the files from the 3.0.0 upgrade for the original Touch and allowed the upgrade to complete.
Then modified the patch_3.3.0 bat file and config to have the patch I wanted for 3.0.0 (actually 3.0.1)
Code:
<Patch>
patch_name = `prevent firmware update`
patch_enable = `yes`
# alternative 1
#change `5.0.0` , `99.10` , `999.9` or similar
#replace_string = 01105C10, `3.1.1`, `99.10`
# alternative 2
replace_string = 010fad78, `https://api.kobobooks.com/1.0/UpgradeCheck/%1/%2/%3/%4/%5`, `https://api.kobobooks.com/1.0/UpgradeCheck/%1/%2/%3/9.9/N`
# alternative 3
#replace_string = 010fad78, `https://api.kobobooks.com/1.0/UpgradeCheck/%1/%2/%3/%4/%5`, `https://api.kobobooks.com/1.0/UpgradeCheck/%1/%2/k/99.9/N`
</Patch>
Copied the resulting KoboRoot.tgz to the device and restarted it.
Then, performed the setup via WiFi on the device.
Message told me that my device was upto date.
Device info now shows me 3.0.1 (644485e229, 11/21/13)
Attaching via USB has no issues at all.
Calibre detects the device correctly.
Repeated WiFi sync's are not updating f/w.
As expected Kobo Desktop initiates an upgrade to 3.3.0.
Reverting the patch, WiFi sync also downloads 3.3.0.
** One weirdness I saw... the Keyboard displayed with my patched file displayed an N where the 5 should be.