I tried "linux noapci", "linux apci=off", (from F2) "linux noapic" and 
even "linux debug", just in case.  Then I discovered that the BIOS does 
have Power Management hidden away and I restored it to default settings. 
And rebooted again with all those forms of the "linux" command. No dice. 
I then went through and tried flipping the Power Management settings and 
rebooting with each variation of the three "linux" commands, including 
just plain "linux". Everything still leads to the endless pause after 
"launching power management daemon".   Maybe the old motherboard is 
misbehaving. Or I missed something else.
thanks,
                 Ian