In case anyone is interested in an update, here are the replies that I received from support.
in regards to:
db->do: can't execute 'REPLACE INTO panel_times (username,account,queries,sql_time,perl_time,print_time,machine,load_avg,tab,subtab,ip,agent,ajax) VALUES ('xxxxx','xxxxx','113','0.269','0.199','0.666','sanrio','0.30','support','msg','24.85.25.151','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.8.1.3) Gecko/20070309 Firefox/2.0.0.3','0')' : Lock wait timeout exceeded; try restarting transaction
"Central database issues, sorry about that. We did some upgrades, and there are some bugs left behind. Our developer team is working on resolving it."
In regards to not being able to submit a support ticket, this was the reply.
"Let me know the OS type and version and browser type and version you are using, so we can try and replicate the error. The exact steps would be useful as well."
"What webid are you trying under when you fail to send a support request?"
I had asked if there was an alternative method for customers to get in contact with DH if the support form doesn't work.
"Our sales/contact form can be used if the one in the
panel is broken: http://dreamhost.com/contact.cgi "
Hope this info helps others.
User24
P.S. After the db error message, at the footer, disappeared I was able to submit support tickets.