runlevel 'unknown' after kernel upgrade

Hi,

I've recently upgraded my kernel to 2.6.17.9 (needed a few features). When my machine boots, the network interface comes up, but none of the network services start. When I try to see which runlevel it's in:

# runlevel
unknown

If I 'telinit 3', network services start, and runlevel returns:

S 3

..indicating that it was previously in single user mode, right?

Looking in the process list (before I 'telinit 3'), I see

init [S]

Any thoughts on what's going on?