Running -current with the value of 8 dropped the system.  Userland was
3.1_RC4.  I used the exact same test as with the 3.1 kernel, does this make
any sense?  It didn't log the vlance messages like previously, so I'm not
sure that this is related.

I'll put the modded 3.1 kernel under more duress and if all goes well you
won't hear any more from me.

Thanks again,

peter