GRUB install issue w/1.4_rc1

This is probably a very common question so I apologize in advance.  If an
existing message deals with my problem, just send me a link to that message
and I'll go research it.  (I hate to have people type things many times.
:^D)

After many stops and starts (including going back to the 1.4_rc1 CD that's
NOT the Unreal Tournament one), I think I've finally got Gentoo installed.
Now I'm stuck at GRUB.  I have two issues.

1) I have /boot installed on /dev/hdb1 but it's currently the only hard
drive in the machine (my Windows one is unplugged but goes to the Master
slot on the 1st controller).  I followed the instructions to install GRUB to
(hd0,0) but it tells me something like "unknown file system type 0x83".  I
am using ReiserFS and have mounted /boot with "-o notail".  I also added
notail to /etc/fstab.  How can I get GRUB to install?

2) I was able to install GRUB to a floppy disk (and created the menu.lst
file on /boot), but when I reboot I just go into GRUB's menu and can't get
out or do anything.  I want to eventually have a dual-boot system so what am
I doing wrong?

In either case, I don't know if this info is needed but I'm adding it as
insurance.
Pentium III-500MHz
Asus P7B-F mobo
512MB RAM
Sound Blaster Live! Soundcard
ATI Rage Fury Pro 32MB AGP videocard
Using a Maxtor 15G hard drive

If there's any other info you need, I'd be happy to supply it.  Thank you in
advance for any help you can provide.

Mark DeNio
Wilmington, DE