diff -r cf49901df862 -r d5e319e6ac19 src/python/m5/SimObject.py
--- a/src/python/m5/SimObject.py	Tue Jul 27 21:23:56 2010 -0700
+++ b/src/python/m5/SimObject.py	Tue Jul 27 21:23:56 2010 -0700
@@ -761,13 +761,16 @@
     # children.
     def getCCObject(self):
         if not self._ccObject:
-            # Cycles in the configuration heirarchy are not supported. This
+            # Make sure this object is in the configuration hierarchy
+            if not self._parent and not isRoot(self):
+                raise RuntimeError, "Attempt to instantiate orphan node"
+            # Cycles in the configuration hierarchy are not supported. This
             # will catch the resulting recursion and stop.
             self._ccObject = -1
             params = self.getCCParams()
             self._ccObject = params.create()
         elif self._ccObject == -1:
-            raise RuntimeError, "%s: Cycle found in configuration heirarchy." \
+            raise RuntimeError, "%s: Cycle found in configuration hierarchy." \
                   % self.path()
         return self._ccObject
 
@@ -890,6 +893,10 @@
 def isSimObjectOrSequence(value):
     return isSimObject(value) or isSimObjectSequence(value)
 
+def isRoot(obj):
+    from m5.objects import Root
+    return obj and obj is Root.getInstance()
+
 baseClasses = allClasses.copy()
 baseInstances = instanceDict.copy()
 
diff -r cf49901df862 -r d5e319e6ac19 src/python/m5/params.py
--- a/src/python/m5/params.py	Tue Jul 27 21:23:56 2010 -0700
+++ b/src/python/m5/params.py	Tue Jul 27 21:23:56 2010 -0700
@@ -1049,8 +1049,14 @@
         peer = self.peer
         if not self.peer: # nothing to connect to
             return
-        connectPorts(self.simobj.getCCObject(), self.name, self.index,
-                     peer.simobj.getCCObject(), peer.name, peer.index)
+        try:
+            connectPorts(self.simobj.getCCObject(), self.name, self.index,
+                         peer.simobj.getCCObject(), peer.name, peer.index)
+        except:
+            print "Error connecting port %s.%s to %s.%s" % \
+                  (self.simobj.path(), self.name,
+                   peer.simobj.path(), peer.name)
+            raise
         self.ccConnected = True
         peer.ccConnected = True
 
diff -r cf49901df862 -r d5e319e6ac19 tests/configs/rubytest-ruby.py
--- a/tests/configs/rubytest-ruby.py	Tue Jul 27 21:23:56 2010 -0700
+++ b/tests/configs/rubytest-ruby.py	Tue Jul 27 21:23:56 2010 -0700
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
 #
 tester = RubyTester(checks_to_complete = 100, wakeup_frequency = 10)
 
-system = System(physmem = PhysicalMemory())
+system = System(tester = tester, physmem = PhysicalMemory())
 
 system.ruby = Ruby.create_system(options, system.physmem)