[CentOS] 3.5 kernel panic on boot

Yes, I know 3.5 is old.  However in this case it's required for a legacy 
app.

a fresh install get's me:

kmod:  failed to exec /sbin/modprobe -s -k block-major-104, errno = 2

followed by:

VFS:  Cannot open root device "cciss/c0d0p2" or 68:02

The system is an HP DL380 G4.  any thought on what could cause this?

the rescue system is able to mount the disk and grub-install works to 
re-install grub on the device.

TIA

Bruce Ferrell