Recently, I had a problem when I tried to start Limewire. My computer would totally freeze. I mean the only way out was to hit the power button. The LED on my CPU indicated it was hung while accessing the HD. I ended up uninstalling and reinstalling Limewire and it corrected the problem. My question is- Is there a log file that I could have accessed that would have told me if this was a read problem from my HD, or what? If my HD is developing bad sectors, I would sure like to know before it totally dies.

Log files are in /var/log.
You probably want to look in /var/log/syslog.
But it could be that the disk driver got a problem and as a consequence the logging couln't be done, so this file might be useless...
Freeze of PC are not easy to track.

For checking your harddisk, you can use "badblocks".
SMART is another option for constant checking, if your disk is SMART capable.

According to nx5000, the error logs should be in var/log/syslog. I am not findinf this file. Going into var/log all I find is cups, gdm, mail, ppp, samba and vbox folders. I find no file for syslog.

I am using FC5(kernel 2.6.18), maybe the syslog is elsewhere? I used the Find Files utility but all I got back were some syslog code.

Sometimes my internet connection (cable) slows and then stops. If this was occuring in approximately the same time frame. I would suspect it was just IP traffic. However, the symptoms occur at random times.

My setup is- roommate on winblows xp,running three boxes and a filesharing group as he pays for internet I am lowest of the food chain. Is this a problem?