Here's what I have so far:

According to the docs, ghe only attributes applicable for search search are Submit and CssClass. Now, I am able to change the "search" text after the box to say something else, but I'm unable to get it to link to an image. The document says this can be done, but I get an error when I do this:

 <Setting>
<Name>Submit</Name>
<Value><img src="blah"></Value>
</Setting>

You might try this in the xml for search text:

<![CDATA[<img src="YourSearchImage.gif">]]>

I don't know, but you may need to use <![CDATA[<img src="<%= SkinPath %>YourSearchImage.gif">]]>  instead.

yeah I also had problems with this... even when i used path <%=SkinPath%> the graphic didnt want to replace text......

<Object>
  <Token>[SEARCH]</Token>
  <Settings>
   <Setting>
    <Name>Submit</Name>
     <Value><![CDATA[<img src="<%= SkinPath %>go.gif">]]></Value>
   </Setting>
  </Settings>
  </Object>

Any clues? ..also to is therere anyway of customizing the input field without affecting the others on the site?