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.

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. 

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

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. 

Thanks for you assistance,
Steve