I recently posted my first gentoo upgrading failure.
It was on a 2004.2 2.4 x86 laptop.
Many different problems seemed to crop out at once and in an
inability to isolate and sort out I may have even added rash
behavior to the process.
Bottom line is I started a new install opting for a 2.6 setup
anyhow. In the process I had difficulty with the install also.
All I can say is follow those instructions TO THE LETTER. I
have a tendency to adlib at times and it can be dangerous.
The newer instructions have a lot more places to fall on your
sword from what I can see. I had a problem with profile.
I linked to x86/2005.0/2.6
ahha
that does not exist and I did not catch it, carefully checking
all the spelling several times but not looking for the existance
of a 2.6. (most already know that x86/2005.0 by itself defaults
to a 2.6 profile)
If I had been patient and careful I would have discovered
a lot of this earlier when 'arch' was said not to exist and
rsync appeared to have timeouts ... most likely not set.
There were many clues.
Anyhow .... before acting reread the handbook as many times
as is necessary to provoke new and enlightening thought

Thanks to those that helped.
-Walt