It applies because you're running an old 2.4.  That patch is in the current
2.4 UML.

right 2.4.24 - 2.4.26 um deltas. got it.

quoted

  Checking for the skas3 patch in the host...found

This is a different UML ...

quoted

Restarting system.

deactivate_all_fds failed, errno = 9
Checking for the skas3 patch in the host...found
Checking for /proc/mm...found

from this one, right?

yes. the hung one stayed hung. next time i see it i'll attach gdb.

If so, did the second one boot OK, and the only problem was the errno=9
thing?

yes. just so.

again, many thanks.