Did you solve this issue? I’m having the same problem with WP 2.6 except I’m always getting redirected to the “install.php” page.
http://wordpress.org/support/topic/196937?replies=1#post-829815
I found this, tried it and it got my comments to reappear under the “Manage Comments” section of my “Dashboard” in WordPress 2.6; give it a shot and see if it helps.
http://wordpress.org/support/topic/167450#post-737217
