kernel panic in a Dell Precision M70

[oscar <oscarperpi@mi.madritel.es>]

Hello,

I am trying to install Debian in a new Dell M70. I first used a CD with the 
testing installer, but although it was able to boot from the CD, later it did 
not recognize the CD. I have read in other places that it have to do with 
SATA controller for the CD and the HD.
Then I tried the stable installer with a kernel 2.4. It installed Debian with 
no problem. With aptitude I install a kernel 2.6.8 (still in stable 
distribution), and when rebooting I get a kernel panic (no /dev/console can 
be found, attempting to kill init). As far as I have discovered with google 
help, it have to do again with the SATA harddisk. I have followed several 
advices of people with same problem, basically, to change menu.lst of grub 
from root=/dev/hda1 to root=/dev/sda1. No result. Still kernel panic. 
Moreover, I try testing distribution to see what happens. Now not only with 
kernel 2.6 but even with kernel 2.4 i get a kernel panic.

Thanks for your help.

oscar.