If I recall correctly, it is because you can't seek on a proc file.
Use "less" instead.
> On a non SMP machine gives instant DEATH. Can't see the screen. Can't
> reboot, gets to "uncompressing" then hangs.
>
> Booting on a rescue floppy shows no root file-system to mount.
Sounds like a corrupted disk from lack of proper shutdown.
-- Andrew E. Mileski mailto:aem@netcom.ca Linux Plug-and-Play Hardware Support http://www.redhat.com/linux-info/pnp/ XFree86 Matrox Team http://www.bf.rmit.edu.au/~ajv/xf86-matrox.html