very current can't install

did the old
  cvsup
  make buildworld
  make kernel
  reboot -sw
  echo foo > /dev/random
  mount -a
  cd /usr/src

and

:/# cd /usr/src
pid 5474 (hostname), uid 0: exited on signal 11 (core dumped)

machine is remote, so i don't want to ask remote hands to
reset too many times.  so any clues appreciated

randy