Post-15K service my MMI screen is refusing to
pop up and various lights on the button around
the knob keep going on for a few seconds and
then off (all of them). The dealer (DCH Maplewood
NJ) did not upgrade the software. They said
I had to bring it back for that (min. 2 days
to do the work). I am not a happy camper - no radio/CD, no nav, etc.

He is probably telling you 2 days because he is backed up in the shop. This upgrade takes no more than 2 hours to complete! This doesnt sound like its repairable with just an upgrade, although you should have that done. You may have a faulty ECU that needs replacement. Keep us posted.

I was looking more closely last night and it seems that the Nav button is jammed in some way. It doesn't "click" like the other buttons.