when i press ctrl-alt-f1 to switch to text only mode, something goes horibly horibly wrong. it's like my keyboard is no longer attached, i can't input anything at all, and pressing the caps,num, or scroll lock doesn't light up their respective lights. it's like in text only mode, my computer looks for my keyboard on a different device or something.

very puzzled,
rebel

If you logged in on that terminal, it is busy running X. Try different F keys control-alt-F1 through F6 as you have 6 virtual terminals.

Return to X with alt-F7.

# Redhat links
RedHat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
RedHat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Redhat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Redhat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

nope, that doesn't work. NONE of the keys on my keyboard work. it's like the computer has disconected my keyboard...

try booting up into tty1 instead of automatically launching a gui. does that work?

hmm...me beinga noob.....how's that work?

boot linux 3 or edit /etc/inittab and change the default runlevel to 3.

Then you will use the command startx to start your GUI.

I have a similar problem:
My connector (PS/2) on one of my servers is loose. Meaning: sometimes the connector moves down by the weight of the cable and there is no connection anymore, so I get exactly what you told before. Nothing works, no capslock nothing (which is a good try to see if the computer is still active / responsive)

Does the keyboard work somewhere else? Does it work inside X?

When you reboot your computer, do the capslock and numlock lights shortly flash? Can you enter your BIOS?
If not, there is probably a hardware problem, not a software one.