I've narrowed down the problem a little. The last message
comes from my pre-current (NetBSD-1.0) boot.c in the bootblocks
doing the printf (...entry point...)

the next call is to startprog(startaddr) which jumps off into
the kernel. At that point, I get booted back to BIOS reset state
before ANY further printf output to the screen. No copyright, no 
nothing.

so does this upgrade step REALLY require installation of a new boot
as well as a new kernel before it will work, or do I have some
other kernel startup problem on my hands?

I've resorted to using the TRINITY config file which looks to be
post-1.0 GENERIC derived, and includes adaptec 1542 SCSI control.
same problem, and this is all stock NetBSD-1.0 userspace and SUP
to current state, or Nov 22 tar_files for src. 

I must be doing something very very wrong. Please help.

-George