network problems causing KDE to hold while loading
 

At first I thought it was something else until I realized that everytime I log in as root to run the commands to get me onto my wireless network I would pretty much freeze up after I logged out of root and into my primary user account.

This happens even if I don't log out of root and instead start a new session.

Is there anything I can do?

Occasionally I can get through to KDE, but that is rare.

Current config is as follows:

IBM thinkpad iSeries 1400, mandrake 10.0, and netgear WG511.