> Thanks Colin for your answer within minutes of my query! Stopped for supper
> or I'd have tried your suggestion immediately, when I did as you suggested
> the symptoms went away.

You're welcome!

> Where's a good general place to look for explanations of the kernel options?

At the moment, the best place is probably the options(4) manual page, I
believe.  In addition to this, I've got a brief synopsis of many of the
options at the end to the Kernel Compiling HOWTO.

Later.

-- 
Colin Wood                                      ender@is.rice.edu
Consultant                                        Rice University
Information Technology Services                       Houston, TX