Ray Phillips:
> What would be the likely cause of this error, how can I fix it, and what

compile a new kernel and include kernfs

> are the consequences if it's left as is?

dont know, did no harm to me. but since i copmpiled a new kernel to use sfb
and X on my dec 3000/300 i also included kernfs

> 
> Oh, and why does installboot for the alpha need /dev/rsd0c as the device
> whilst for the i386 it takes /dev/rwd0a?  Does it matter very much if these
> recommendations from the man pages are ignored and, for example, /dev/rsd0a
> is used for the alpha?

because rwd is ide, rsd is scsi and your dec 3000/400 has a
scsi-controller while i suppose your i386 uses a ide controller

CU
	Jens