[nmglug] Kernel - devfs - initrd

[Jason Davis]

Hello,
I have a dual cpu Amd64 box. It running Debian stable. However the
install did not set up a SMP kernel so only one of my CPUs is showing
up. I compiled a kernel and built ext3 and the sata drivers in. (not
modules)

If i try to not use a initrd image the root file system cant be mounted.
Can some suggest what Im leaving out. If i use an initrd i get a kernel
panic saying the dev/console can not be loadded.

I have googled the messages I get. I have tried a few things I found
(like install udev/devfsd) Still I get the same error.

Questions:
1. Why is /dev/console not being found at boot?
2. How can I use udev and not devfs?
3. Besides ext3 ,scsi , sata , what do i need to build into my kernel to
not need initrd?


thanks in advance,
jason