xfs + lvm + suse9.1 problem

I have been trying to get some 3TB raids online by merging the two sub-2TB luns into a 3TB LV using LVM in Suse 9.1. Problem is, when I go to format the logical volume in xfs it hangs, then upon subsequent reboot the machine hangs at nfsboot (sm_notify). If I use Reiser or JFS this does not happen. Also, how do I boot the machine around this nfsboot hangup? Failsafe does not work. Thanks, Joe