network rc script broken in RH 5.2?

[Alan Mead <adm ipat com>]

[Sorry about that misdirected last message, I was thinking about this problem]

On an older Pentium, after installing a pile of software and trying-out the
GUI admin tools (Linuxconf and the network tool) I have a strange problem.
If I use the /etc/rc.d/init.d/network script to start/restart my network
(e.g., during boot) my network is unreachable because, apparently, the
routes are not set up properly.  I have to go into
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts and use 'ifup eth0' manually which works
although generating the error message as shown below.  It seems to indicate
that a script somewhere there is broken.  

I get SIO** errors during startup too sometimes.  Are these logged?  I
don't see tham in /var/log/dmesg?

In tracing the scripts, I don't show any problems and I didn't modify them
so I think it's a red herring.  Can anyone recommend where I should go
looking for the hiccup in the system?

I can supply more info if you're interested.  TIA!

[root z network-scripts]# ./ifup eth0
route: netmask doesn't match route address
Usage: route [-nNvee] [-FC] [Address_families]  List kernel routing tables
       route {-V|--version}                  Display command version and exit.
       route {-h|--help} [Address_family]    Usage Syntax for specified AF.
       route [-v] [-FC] {add|del|flush} ...  Modify routing table for AF.
 
  Address_families: inet,inet6,ddp,ipx,netrom,ax25
        specify AF: -A af1,af2..  or  --af1 --af2  or  af_route
[root z network-scripts]# ping time.nist.gov                            
PING time.nist.gov (192.43.244.18): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 192.43.244.18: icmp_seq=0 ttl=53 time=360.9 ms
64 bytes from 192.43.244.18: icmp_seq=1 ttl=53 time=230.8 ms
 
--- time.nist.gov ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 2 packets received, 33% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max = 230.8/295.8/360.9 ms
[root z network-scripts]#
---
Alan D. Mead  /  Research Scientist  /  adm ipat com
Institute for Personality and Ability Testing
1801 Woodfield Dr  /  Savoy IL 61874 USA
217-352-4739 (v)  /  217-352-9674 (f)