Can't re-install - undefined symbol

[Nigel Horne <njh@bandsman.co.uk>]

I had a catastrophic crash yesterday so I am trying to re-install.  
However it's failing.

I've repartitioned the hard disc and installed the base system.  When I 
reboot I now get the Grub prompt.  I followed step 5 of 
http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/hurd-install.  When I typed boot the 
Hurd started until the message:

panic: Error in executing boot strap undefined symbol

I've not seen that before.  I've run tried twice and had someone else 
type the steps as well, but each time I get that message.  How do I proceed?

-Nigel