>>  when I try to run it the thing bombs out when it is
>> starting up saying that it cannot get I/O permissions (or words to
>> that effect).  I have tried running the thing as root but still no go.
>I suppose you do have pcvt compiled into the kernel? I would guess so,
>otherwise you won't get to this point. Are you sure the binary has
>no setuid bits that take the root permissions away from you again?

pcvt in, no s[ug]id buts set.

>Also, SVGAlib tries to open /dev/mem to mmap() video memory. This will
>fail if you are running in secure mode; you might have to recompile
>your kernel with the INSECURE option.

tried that.. nothing changed..
this is the error I'm getting (audience: Heard it before!)

---
Not running in graphics-capable virtual console.
---

and it then proceeds to spit at me.. ptooie!
pcvt is there.  Everythings else seems to be in order, Brett Lymn sent
me a copy of his conf file and there were no significant (well I thought) 
differences. btw: the kernel is from 95/09/02 source, but that is after
svgalib support was commented on on the list.  Has anything changed since
then?

James