`unable to open console' afteinstall on Dell Optiplex GX1

[Peter S Galbraith <GalbraithP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>]

I'm trying to install slink on Dell Optiplex GX1.  Strangely,
during initial installation I was not able to install LILO or
even a kernel on a floppy, getting failure messages for each.
I created a boot floppy and unpacking resc1440.bin unto another
floppy, copying `linux' (the kernel) to disk and then dd'ing it
to the floppy again.  Lastly, I rdev'ed the floppy to set the
root partition as /dev/hdb2.  This floopy boots okay until the
end where I get the error `unable to open console' and then it
hangs there.

Any hints?  Booting the rescue CD again, I see that /dev/console
does exist on /dev/hdb2 (my initial guess).

Thanks,
-- 
Peter Galbraith, research scientist          <GalbraithP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Box 1000, Mont-Joli Qc, G5H 3Z4 Canada. 418-775-0852 FAX: 775-0546
    6623'rd GNU/Linux user at the Counter - http://counter.li.org/