>In general, this problem is bad enough that I'm thinking that install
>kernels ought to automatically exclude "common" IRQ assignments from
>consideration -- 3,4,5 & 7 spring to mind immediately. Anyone have
>suggestions on what the mask ought to be?

 Excluding 5 and 7 seems like a fine idea. But why 3 and 4?
Are there cases where INSTALL kernels haven't found existing serial
ports there? 

 - Nathan