Boot hangs at "Serial driver version 4.27" etc.

[Katherine McFall <kmcfall@uchicago.edu>]

Hi,

I'm trying to install Debian potato from CDs.  The machine boots up to the CD
okay, but after the kernel loads, the system hangs partway through boot.

Everything goes fine until I get the following message:

"Serial driver version 4.27 with no serial options enabled"

at which point the machine hangs.  Ctrl-Alt-Del and the reset button do
nothing; I have to physically power cycle the box.

It's a built-from-scratch system with a brand-new motherboard, plus the usual
(two HDs, a CD-ROM, a CD-RW, floppy, video and network cards).

Anyone have a clue what's going on?  Thanks,

Katherine