>Can I use 'linux rescue' to fix that OS up to boot it? The kernel >panics in its current state (because the hardware architecture is so >strikingly different). What is the methodology of fixing the kernel >in this circumstance? You likely don't have block device modules for whatever controller this new rig has in your initrd. Deduce that in your rescue environment (look for something obvious), here are some examples (IDE|SATA|SCSI): # lspci 00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) 4 port SATA IDE Controller (rev 02) 00:1f.5 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) 2 port SATA IDE Controller (rev 02) 03:00.0 SATA controller: JMicron Technologies, Inc. JMicron 20360/20363 AHCI Controller (rev 03) 03:00.1 IDE interface: JMicron Technologies, Inc. JMicron 20360/20363 AHCI Controller (rev 03) Figure out what module supports it. Maybe see where it resides in the modules/src tree? # lsmod ata_piix 22341 4 libata 143997 2 ahci,ata_piix scsi_mod 134605 3 sg,libata,sd_mod # locate scsi_mod /lib/modules/2.6.18-92.1.18.el5/kernel/drivers/scsi/scsi_mod.ko /usr/src/kernels/linux-2.6.28-rc6/drivers/scsi/scsi_module.c Obviously scsi_mod is a scsi module (Block Device), and I am using it... Then either add them to your modprobe.conf which is read by mkinitrd or use cli options in your mkinitrd command. # cat /etc/modprobe.conf alias eth0 e100 alias eth1 r8169 alias scsi_hostadapter ata_piix alias scsi_hostadapter1 ahci Generate this new initrd (man mkinitrd) and force the kernel you currently have *on the dead system*, look in /boot. Edit grub.conf to use this new initrd, make a new stanza maybe? Edit your fstab to reflect any changes that might occur as a result, such as migrating from an IDE block device to a SCSI one: /dev/had --> /dev/sda etc. unless of course you are using LVM on the system disc as well. I suspect (but you didn't provide much info) that since these very same discs are in the new machine, they have a compatible interface which hasn't changed (obviously, they were SCSI or SATA etc) and your new rig likely has newer devices which need newer modules maybe like if the system disc was IDE or SATA on an old controller? Could be something else, post back with any progress. HTH, jlc