Well I just reinstalled and ran 'yum update'. Apart from having to import the gpg keys everything ran smoothly and grub.conf was updated with the new kernel info as expected. I dunno what happened the first time but I'm letting it fall in the 'who gives a f@(k' basket where it is destined to remain forever. thanks for the concern anyway -- pAntZ Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you do criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes!