Hi,This is still an issue even with Kernel 2.6.24 (Lenny netinst CD).....ie 2.6.8 and 2.6.18 also do not work, Etch 4.0r3 netinst CD.
It also appears that any "raw" 2.4 kernel of 2.4.27+ does not work either ie downloaded from kernel.org and compiled. However source in kernel-source-2.4.27-10sarge10 compiles and boots fine.
I have a Dell PERC 3DCL bios 3.35 (which looks the latest bios)... regards Steven