can't build kernel

[/dev/null]

Hello,
 Just got a new CPU today. Running 5.4-RC3 on GENERIC until the new CPU
showed up. Installed the CPU drafted a new config for the kernel cd'd to
/usr/src, typed "make buildkernel KERNCONF=DEMON01", build process went as
expected. But before the build process completed the machine froze for no
apparent reason at the sound driver part. Couldn't ssh into it from another
box, so hit the reset button, chose 4 from the menu (single user mode).
Performed a fsck -f. Rebooted and attempted to rebuild. But it barfed.
So I performed an rm -fr /usr/src.
Then /stand/sysinstall > install entire src tree and tried another
"make buildkernel KERNCONF=DEMON01" in /usr/src.
It barfed with the following:
    ....
rm -f .depend GPATH GRTAGS GSYMS GTAGS
===> rp
rm -f /usr/src/sys/modules/rp/export_syms rp.ko rp.kld rp.o rp_pci.o @
machine s
ymb.tmp tmp.o opt_compat.h pci_if.h bus_if.h device_if.h
rm -f .depend GPATH GRTAGS GSYMS GTAGS
===> rue
".depend", line 1: Need an operator
".depend", line 3: Need an operator
".depend", line 4: Need an operator
".depend", line 5: Need an operator
".depend", line 6: Need an operator
".depend", line 9: Need an operator
".depend", line 18: Need an operator
".depend", line 20: Need an operator
".depend", line 21: Need an operator
".depend", line 25: Need an operator
".depend", line 43: Need an operator
make: fatal errors encountered -- cannot continue
*** Error code 1

Stop in /usr/src/sys/modules.
*** Error code 1

Stop in /usr/obj/usr/src/sys/DEMON01.
*** Error code 1

Stop in /usr/src.
*** Error code 1

Stop in /usr/src.

/usr/src

    ...

Please help and thank you.

-Chris

////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 If only Western Electric had found a way to offer
binary licenses for the UNIX system back in 1974,
the UNIX system would be running on all PC's today
rather than DOS/Windows.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////