I think that the live CD for i686 lacks the file cabextract that is needed for emerging X (and the .exe files with the fonts). This made to me imposible to install gentoo without a conection to internet and run X Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. 2. 3.
stage problem
if its a stage problem, then it has been fixed w/ catalyst. I seem to have no probs on my system.