The LiveCD 2004.1 SMP kernel sets a really bizarre video mode that blanks on some video chipsets. I couldn't get it to work on my GeForce4, though it worked on an ancient GeForce3. I suggest setting to the standard default 80x25 video or use a well-accepted alternative like 80x50. I ran into this bug while trying to clone my server's hardware RAID5 array to a new server running software RAID1 on SerialATA drives. SATA only seems to work well with the SMP kernel, but then I had the video mode issue. I eventually had to swap video cards to get through the migration. Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. Boot LiveCD 2004.1. 2. Select SMP kernel. Actual Results: Some video chipsets blank.
What about smp-nofb? That uses standard 80x25 video. Also, try out the new CDs in the /experimental/x86/livecd/x86 filder on your favorite Gentoo mirror. They are the test series for 2004.2, so I need as much feedback as possible, especially where the 2004.1 failed.
Since 2004.2 has been released, I'm closing this one with NEEDINFO.