linux-image-2.6.10-2-686-smp: kernel panic - not syncing: attempting to kill init!

[Olve Hansen]

I have over some time tried to install the latest linux-image-686
(2.6.10-2), but get this message immediately after selecting the
kernel in grub when I reboot:

Starting Ubuntu
pivot_root: No such file or directory
/sbin/init: 428 cannot open dev/console: No such file
Kernel Panic - Not syncing: Attempted to kill init!

I have mounted the /boot/initrd.img-2.6.10-2-686-smp and it does
contain pivot_root and init in sbin. The image is rebuilt upon
installing the kernel image -  and it is the one supplied through
apt/synaptic.

I boot into  2.6.8.1-3-686-smp without any problems.

If I change the root=/dev/sdb1 to something else in grub while booting
2.6.8 I can recreate the problem. This leads me to believe that the
device nodes are created differently in 2.6.10 than in 2.6.8 (the last
working kernel) - like with different names or different order.

I have failed to find info on this problem and  I have seen some
discussion in the ubuntu forums, but no real solutions.

I am using sata drives, and Hoary. Can anyone help me shed som light
on this issue?

Thanks
-- 
 \ Olve S. Hansen
  \ mailto:olvesh at gmail.com