no boot

[robert]

Ok. Here's the problem.

Running a debian-based o/s, in /etc/grub.d/40_custom (set to rwx-r_x-r_x)

I have this:
#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0
menuentry "Sysrescue" {
set root=(hd1,2)
linux /sysrcd/rescuecd subdir=sysrcd
initrd /sysrcd/initram.igz
}

then
$sudo update-grub

well and good. "Sysrescue" shows up in the grub boot menu

However, when I select that menu item, I get:
error: hd1,2 cannot get C/H/S values
error: you need to load the kernel first

but, when I  boot to a grub prompt and issue the following commands:
grub>set root(hd1,2)
grub>linux /sysrcd/rescuecd subdir=sysrcd
grub>initrd /sysrcd/initram.igz
grub>boot

everything goes swimmingly. machine boots to the requested o/s

any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Robert