> 
> Hi. I have done most of the standard troubleshooting to eliminate the kvm 
> errors I'm getting.  
> I'm getting a kvm_mkdb: /var/db/kvm.db.tmp Inappropriate file type or 
> format error whenever I try to run kvm_mkdb.  The system also reports 
> savecore: can't find device 4/1, and it always repeats that message in 
> the bootlog. Incidentally, /var/log/messages, is filled with binary 
> characters, such as ^@, and very few of the console messages actually 
> make it into the file.

What is your kernel called? Is it /netbsd ? You might also try moving the
kvm.db file somewhere else (effectively deleting it). It _should_
rebuild right, but it might be getting some residual bad info from the
sick file.

> I have tried to run kvm_mkdb manually, in single user mode, and I get the 
> same errors. The filesystems are fine. They get checked with fsck -f on 
> every boot. 

Dang. Sick file systems were a good candidate. :-(

> Now, I'm wondering. Do I need to update my libkvm? Or is there something 
> broken in the kernel?

You said you're using the early-April snapshot? It should be fine with the
kernel from the same vintage.

> My machine, an LC 475, Quantum ELS80 80 MB  root + swap, SCSI ID 0, and a 
> Quantum LPS270S 260 MB usr at ID 2. The machine has 36 MB RAM, an FPU, 
> and an Asante MacCon-LC ethernet card. This same error happens with John 
> Wittkoski's HWDIRECT #164, and GENERICSBC #16, 25, 26, 27, and 28. 

Take care,

Bill