kernel panic when starting the install

[James Lytle]

System specs:
   Intel 915GEVLK with a P4 3.0 GHz processor.  512 MB DDR2 memory, 3Ware 8506-4LP SATA RAID 0/1/5/10/JBOD controller, 2 WD800 80 GB drives, 1 GB (2x512) DDR2 533 MHz memory.  OS version is Redhat Fedora Core 4.  3Ware card appears to not be the issue, as I have another machine with a 915GAV motherboard and single SATA WD drive, and similar errors occur.

Kernel panic happens after the vmlinux and initrd load.  Screen goes blank as if it is getting ready to start another process, then the kernel panics.  On this machine, the error is "Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill init!".  On a similar machine without the 3Ware card, there is a line that I caught site of but can't seem to catch it again.  The message is something along the lines of it can't write to the RAM disk.

If anyone can help, or at least suggest some things to try, it would be greatly appreciated!  I am trying to get two machines up and running by week's end for a client.  Prefer to deliver by Friday.  This is for my side business as a consultant.

My background is that I am predominately Windows as that is what I have to run on my network at work due to software we run.  I do have 2 Linux machines running, and as I learn more, am searching for new ways of replacing Windows machines with Linux.  We are investigating the possibility of using a Linux based accounting package for our Bookstore (I work at a Vo-Tech school).

Thanks!!!!
James Lytle
IS Director

Thanks!
Jay
K5NIC