Kernel panic: unable to mount root

["Kevin" <wessam@nbank.net>]

I decided to compile a new kernel (2.2.1) to upgrade from 2.0.38 for my 486
(slink) and I followed the instructions in the kernel howto.  I compiled and
installed the kernel, ran lilo, and rebooted.  I receive the following
error:

Kernel panic: VFS: unable to mount root fs on 03:01

my lilo.conf:
boot=/dev/hda
root=/dev/hda1
install=/boot/boot.b
map=/boot/map
vga=normal
delay=20
image=/vmlinuz
label=Linux
read-only

I have two IDE hard drives with / on hda1.  my boot disk works and mounts
root fine.  I must've missed some option in the kernel, or is my lilo.conf
is set up wrong?
thanks for any help,
Kevin