>>>Because my BIOS doesn't seem to like the NetBSD disk (wd1 on an old 
>>>486), I need to boot via a floppy.  If I use the install floppy and 
>>>interrupt the boot process, I can say
>>> boot wd1a:netbsd
>>>and all is cool.  But I'd rather the machine be able to boot unassisted.
>>>
>>>I tried building a kernel with the following line:
>>> config          netbsd  root on wd1a type ffs
>>>But that kernel won't boot, even via the install floppy; the machine 
>>>just sits there.
>>
>>I don't think you need to modify the GENERIC kernel to get
>>the results you seek (?).
>>
>>Instead, install a boot loader on wd0 *and* wd1 that will
>>allow the boot sequence to be passed to the second (wd1) disk.
>>
>>For example, I use BootEasy installed on wd0 and wd1.
>>The PC wants to book off of wd0 ("C:") and drags in the
>>MBR from that disk as part of the IPL.  Since BootEasy
>>replaces the traditional "MBR", it can then present
>>a menu of boot choices -- something like:
>>  F1 wd0 partition 1
>>  F2 wd0 partition 2
>>  F3 wd0 partition 3
>>  F4 wd0 partition 4
>>  F5 wd1
>>Pressing F5 gives you a similar menu:
>>  F1 wd1 partition 1
>>  F2 wd1 partition 2
>>  F3 wd1 partition 3
>>  F4 wd1 partition 4
>>  F5 wd0
>
>I had, in fact, tried something like that with the NetBSD boot 
>selector.  However, as best I can tell it uses the BIOS for disk I/O, 
>and as I noted the BIOS doesn't like the drive.  NetBSD kernels have no 
>trouble with it at all...


Ouch!  So, even under "DOS" you can't recognize the drive?
I.e. this is a "one disk" machine?  Or, is there an ATAPI
CD-ROM or similar in the system that you can move to
the "second" [E]IDE controller?

--don