It means that different kernel versions are used. Something might have changed between these two different versions and/or the options these kernels are compiled with, that make your (faulty in some way in any case) disc unusable.
The kernel of Salix OS is 2.6.33.4-smp and the Ubuntu kernel is 2.6.32-24-generic, meaning that the kernel of Salix OS is a later version of the kernel, right?