install goes ok, nothing after reboot

I am trying to install Suse Linux Professional 9.0 for amd64 on a new Appro 2128Hs server. It is a dual Opteron 246 system, Tyan S2881 motherboard. No dvd, so I do an nfs install (on to scsi disk (seagate disk, adaptec aic79xx driver, custom partition scheme) which appears to go smoothly. Everything I need is detected, doing a 'Default system' for the package selection. However, upon the reboot the boot loader doesn't appear to want to load (tried grub and lilo). All I get is a blinking under line cursor. Any ideas? Thank You, James