Kernel from CVS won't boot

       I've built a kernel from linux-mips CVS (2.4 branch), yet this kernel 
refuses to boot on my Indigo2 machine.  I get to the PROM monitor, type in 
"boot -f 2420_2" (what I named the kernel in the volume header), and it just 
stops doing anything and sits there.  The light on the front of my case 
starts flashing, indicating I believe a panic of some kind.

       Any ideas on what may be possible causes of this?  I'm booting my 
kernels from the volume header directly.  If configs are needed, I can 
provide them.

--Kumba