Comment 17 for bug 254453

Okay, here's the story:

In package base-installer, there is a script "kernel/i386.sh" that detects which
kernel should be used based on a variety of factors, including CPU attributes.
This detection is imperfect, and (while it worked in your case, MG), it does not
override the -server kernel choice on some boards that do not support PAE (like
the Luke CoreFusion CPU on the EK, apparently). That is how the same software
version results in a non-booting system on an EK, but works fine on some other
boards with CPUs that do not support PAE and/or CMOV.

I've been told that PAE detection will likely be implemented for Intrepid. That
should resolve most of the remaining CPU compatibility issues.

-Forest