did I do something wrong.

I compiled kernel 2.6.11 with nearly identical options as recent kernels (my 2.6.10 works fine)
but when I boot into it It gets down to running hotplug
then recognizes AGP aperture
and hangs and I cant even three-finger-salute

im just baffled at this point

You say "nearly" identical options. What option did you change exactly, if at all?

after double checking... nothing. even make mrpropered to get a fresh .config

Could you post your lilo.conf or menu.lst file? I had something similar when I first compiled a kernel.

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/hda
message = /boot/boot_message.txt
prompt
timeout = 130
default = 2.6.11
# Override dangerous defaults that rewrite the partition table:
change-rules
reset
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
vga = 791
# Normal VGA console
# vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# End LILO global section
# Windows bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/hda1
label = Xp
table = /dev/hda
# Windows bootable partition config ends
# Linux bootable partition config begins
#Linux bootable partition config ends

image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.9
root = /dev/hdb2
label = 2.6.9
read-only

image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.29
root = /dev/hdb2
label = 2.4.29
read-only

image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.10
root = /dev/hdb2
label = 2.6.10
read-only

image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11
root=/dev/hdb2
label=2.6.11
read-only