ok, as many of you suggested it looks as though the problem was
related to the serial console.  if i unplug the serial console while 
it is running the ipx appears to be suspended at the firmware and
i can just type c to continue.  but i do remember that a few times
c would not resume the os and the machine had to be restarted.  is
there a way to tell the firmware that its ok if i unplug the serial
console and plug it back in so that this does not happen?

thanks

nick maniscalco
nmanisca@vt.edu