OK, I found the problem. Should have paid attention to the console-3 error.log. I had made a manual installation and had taken the anaconda-ks.cfg that was left in /root as the basis for creating custom kickstart files. That file was mode 600. That was it. Duh!! Anyway, the rescue mode does crash. The hardware is a Dell Precision and I was able to install it manually. But I cannot bring the machine up with the rescue CD. I can try to jot down what the screen says but I see only a fraction of the dump when the rescue CD exits abnormally. If Connie or Troy think this is useful, I will try to do it. Thanks for everyone's help and patience. Ken