pausing or machine going dead for 15 seconds

[Geoff R Deasey <kd4wvf@server1.netpath.net>]

This problem is driving me batty.  However I wonder if this is a network
problem.  I log into the console and i get the pauses, however if I run
pine, I do not get pauses until i leave pine.  any ideas ?

 Regards,                 | Debian GNU/   __      o
 .                        | R L          / /     _  _  _  _  _ __  __
 Jeff                     | E I         / /__  / / / \// //_// \ \/ /
 (FidoNet 1:3644/9)       | D N        /____/ /_/ /_/\/ /___/  /_/\_\
 (jeff@netpath.net)       | H U    ...because lockups are for convicts...
 (deasey@netpath.net)     | A X 
 (redhat@netpath.net) HOME| T