I have also noticed a similar problem. I am using a drive with a
root /home and /usr, all 3 being Mkfs'd, not newfs'd. I've not noticed
anything to do with inodes, but (seemingly) at random some kernels will
boot and others will. For instance, I will try to test a new kernel named
netbsd.BRAHMS-6, and when I try to boot it from the booter... the booter
says it's not there. ;-) Incidentally, it has never failed to boot a
kernel named netbsd. I've not looked at the Booter code, and even if I had
I don't know enough about the interaction between the booter and the
NetBSD file system to help any, but maybe someone else would know better?
I forget who is working on the booter (or if it is still being actively
maintained)...

	Ryan

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HELO... my name is rewt... you have SIGKILLed my father... prepare to vi!