You need to install a new kernel image. The 486 kernel image is a piece of junk. I can't figure out why is in there. do:
apt-cache search linux-image
and pick the one that fits your hardware, which I am sure is not 486 architechture. Like if you have a Pentium 4, choose the Pentium 4 smp kernel image. Apt-get will try to install a bunch of other stuff. Just let it, and delete the other kernel images later with dpkg -r <package>.
apt-cache search linux-source
and pick the one that matches the kernel image you installed. Go in /boot/grub.menu.lst and change "root=/dev/hda1" in the kernel line for your new kernel to "root=/dev/sda1". Edit /etc/fstab and make everything that says hdx say sdx, (i.e. hda1 to sda1), and save the file. Boot with the non-pathetic excuse of a kernel by choosing it from the grub menu when you restart the machine (arrow keys, but it should be first.) 2.6.15 and 2.6.16 work pretty well with acpi, but if you can't boot the first thing I try is put "acpi=off" on the kernel line in the grub listing for the kernel I am booting. When the boot menu first comes up, if you hit the down arrow the timer stops. Then hit the up arrow to go back to the kernel you want to edit. Hit the "e" key, and select the kernel line. Hit the "e" key again and you can add kernel parameters, but put them at the end of the line. Hit enter and hit "b" for boot. You probably won't need to do that with acpi, but it's always good to know how.
