Kernel panic vfs unable to mount root
 

Some text here.

Probably there is no sata support compiled into the kernel and the module which is responsible for sata is not loaded.

ok that figures, but how do i get this working?

You will have to recompile your kernel. Did you install the sources for the new kernel?

If so, look at the stickys on the top of the forum, labeled "This is how I do it all" and "Compiling"...Both excellent guides

This ought to teach you a valuble lesson: Never 'Automagically' update your kernel or alsa files...:tisk:

In fact Swaret,slackpkg and similar programs have options to exclude kernel,alsa and other pkg from upgrades. If those exlusions aren't in place after your painstaking 2.6.x kernel compile which is perfect, you may find yourself with 2.4.32 upgrade kernel and oops!
Swaret got me the first couple times because I forgot that developer said to make sure to add particular EXCLUDE= lines to conf. file.