I'm upgrading from a 2.6.1 kernel to 2.6.3 The kernel build went OK, but I must have missed the documentation that says that libata calls an SATA drive '/dev/sda' whereas it used to be '/dev/hde'.
I installed an old ATA drive (/dev/hda) and have booted a 2.6.3 kernel from the ATA drive. I can mount the SATA partitions in fstab (/dev/sda?) except for '/' which has the /dev/hda partition.
I can mount the SATA '/' partition elsewhere and it appears to be intact.
When I run lilo is says 'Warning: /dev/sda is not on the first disk'.
If I boot from the SATA it panics saying 'Kernel Panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block (8,7)
In desperation I tried to 'rdev /dev/sda7 /dev/sda7', no difference.
How do I make it boot from /dev/sda7 ?
I haven't had any success with a boot / rescue floppy either.
Debian Woody (testing)
This system has worked great with the 2.6.1 kernel.

I have slightly the same problem with you. I tried to install Debain using netinst iso (kernel 2.6). I'm using SATA drive. When the installed asked where to installed Grub, i said, /dev/sda6 but a got a fatal error msg and can't be completed.

Helps, please?

Since March, I have updated my kernel from 2.6.3 through 2.6.7. I have been using debian's kernel image, as well as compiling a few kernels.
In each case the SATA drive is found at /dev/hde.
I added a second SATA drive (for experimenting with RAID), that drive was found at /dev/hdg.

During the install process, if you can get to a shell and do a 'cat /proc/partitions' you can see what the install program found.
I hope this helps.

Doesn't detect my sata as hde but as sda. Installed on it but can't get GRUB working, fatal error.

Install grub on the master boot record that hsould be fine.

Try
#fdisk -l
that'll list your partitions for you.