Well, I've re-started the game for a third and last time and I think I'm finally happy. The main reason I started again was...
...this. Yeah, I thought my guy looked pretty good when I'd finished. In-game though, he looked like the illicit offspring of an elephant and a village idiot. I've gone with default Shephard as he's much more handsome than I'll ever be.
This is the second reason why I did a third restart. I got the first lock fine but the second one I came across on Eden a prime threw up 2 'X's in a row and I panicked and pressed 'O'. I was not happy. I'm definitely gonna be saving beforehand in future.
Anyway, I restarted and completed the mission on Eden Prime. Very happy that I restarted as I managed to get some decent gear from that Cole guy in the second locked trailer and then some grenades from that coward hiding behind crates where Nihlus was killed. I'm really hoping the sniper rifle gets more stable as while I love it, it's tricky at this point.
Also, I'm a terrible Commander. Towards the end of the level I found some better armour for Ashley but... I... thought she looked better in the white outfit and didn't give it to her. I'm an awful person.
Just arrived in the Citadel and yeah, I want to live here.