Machine not locked-up but can't log on either

[Ryan Golhar]

I have a machine configured just like 20 other machines (kickstart).
Every once in a while the machine just hangs.  The X terminal is dead,
but you can toggle to the other console terminals.  After you type in
your name and password, it hangs. 

I'm able to ssh to the machine, and type a name/password but it hangs.
I can't even log in as root from the console - root is set up as a local
account in case the network goes out we can still get access to it.  

The only thing I can do is hit the power button but I'd like to find out
why this is happening.  Any suggestions on what I can try?

Ryan