I'd like to re-iterate going ass to grass with squats rather than to parallel. Much better all round in terms of joints, muscular development, impressiveness etc. Here is a great article :
http://www.ironaddicts.com/Benifits of deep squatting on knees.html
I actually printed that out and put it on the wall of my gym but sadly some morons took it down. Probably the same guys that don't squat and told me not to go below parallel and that I should use the smyth machine at all times.
Also, much like you in March I think it was I was having trouble with 125kgx5 (deadlifts) as my forearms were giving out. I didn't want to use straps as I wanted my forearms to develop as well. Warboss told me that straps would help rather than hinder and me being the beginner I shut up and listened. Now I have done 162.5kgx3 rack deads without straps, so yeh use the straps.
Quagmire