My Redhat installation has started to hang more or less on the start once in a while (about every other reboot).

The stream of events are: Start up/restart computer; choose Linux kernel 2.4.19 from grub; go to login screen; log in as myself;; GNOME loads and starts Evolution; nothing works exceptthe mouse. I can move hte mouse pointer, but mouse clicks, and key presses have no effect, wither with the external keyboard or the built-in keyboard (I'm using a Toshiba Satellite 5205-s703, which I why I'm using the 2.4.19 kernel).

I have to unplug the laptop and remove it's battery to restart hte mochine. So far the rebooting from that has always worked fine, albeit slowly as it usually fsck's the file systems.

What can I do to track down why this is happening?

Thanks,

Next time it happens, capture or look at
/var/log/messages
any errors should be there.
No, the mouse doesn't work, how do you open a console to enter
cp /var/log/messages /var/log/bootingerror

With it working normally, activate accessibilty option move/use mouse with
keyboard, learn how to use that, then when it happens again, you can
navigate with the numpad, and do the above.

RO

also check dmesg

if you do not have too many kernel dependant drivers [like video or sound drivers etc compiled especially for your kernel] then you might try geting the latest kernel.
THis will tell you if it's the OS of just a program installed that's causing the issue.

PS the older kernels may have issues with something on the pc - that's why I updtaed mine - I'm happy running the 2.4.20 kernel.

SHould have read closer. Mouse an Keyboard don't work. With it working, add
this line to /etc/rc.local file

cp /var/log/messages /var/log/messages_backup

This will automatically backup the last boot where you can see
it on next access.

RO

Linux auto checks the filesystem each time - this is normal but you can speed it up by formatting the partitions with the ext3 filesystem which supports faster file checking.

"I'm using a Toshiba Satellite 5205-s703, which I why I'm using the 2.4.19 kernel"

It the latest kernel problematic with that laptop?