[CentOS] virt-install nographics not working for hvm guest

 I'm trying to set up a fully-virtualised CentOS 3.9 guest under 5.3 using
 kickstart. This doesn't work at all with a text-only install:

 virt-install -r 384 -n $host -f $dev -v \
                  -l $loc \
                  -x ks=http://$kssrv/centos3.ks  \
                  -m $mac --nographics

 The installer just sits there and hangs after creating the domain.

# virt-install ...

Starting install...
Creating domain...                                       |    0 B     00:00     

#

 I get better results with a graphical install ( s/--nographics/--vnc/),
 but the kickstart portion of it doesn't work - the installer stops at
 the boot prompt. Specifying the kickstart option manually on the boot prompt
 kicks off a non-interactive install and creates a working guest. So far
 so good. 

 1. I presume I'm running into CentOS bug 2975/RH bug 448006, as my workaround
    is identical. Is there any possible workaround so that I don't need to
    enter the ks file url at the boot prompt? Are there any alternative boot
    files/images etc. I could specify?
 2. xm console doesn't work

# xm create host -c
Using config file "./host".
Started domain host

xenconsole: Could not read tty from store: No such file or directory
# 

    I've tried "console=xvc0" on the grub kernel line, no joy. Even after
    creating the device manually. Any advice?