smp kernels since 1996 hand during boot?

[Anne & Lynn Wheeler <lynn garlic com>]

i'm seeing the smp kernels (since 1996) hang during boot. last boot
message is about recognizing ps2 generic wheel mouse ... and then
nothing ... even if i leave it sitting for an hour (went off and forgot
about it once).

i fall-back to 1996 and not having the problem.