I've run Slackware 8.1 since it came out (up until I got 9.0) and I've never come across that problem. I don't run gnome but I doubt it's that.
Are you using a kernel that came with Slackware or did you compile your own? If you are using a Slackware one, you should definitely compile your own 2.4.20 version.
If you can get your hands on a copy of Slackware 9.0 I highly encourage you to install it (it has much better package handling).
Hope that helps,
loophole.
computer hangs on X with SMP
Try running xinit instead of startx, so that no window manager is started to find out if it is indeed gnome causing you problems.
You could also try not using ATI drivers, but the straight svga ones that come with Linux out of the box - just run xf86config and follow the prompts.
You should also compile your own kernel for the machine (from a vanilla kernel tree rather than a Redhat modified or whatever) - See the Kernel-HOWTO.
And, as for having problems when you have to force a hardware reset on Llinux, you should use Ext3 or reiserfs instead of Ext2 to avoid trashing your filesystem.
Just my two cents.
loophole
You could also try not using ATI drivers, but the straight svga ones that come with Linux out of the box - just run xf86config and follow the prompts.
You should also compile your own kernel for the machine (from a vanilla kernel tree rather than a Redhat modified or whatever) - See the Kernel-HOWTO.
And, as for having problems when you have to force a hardware reset on Llinux, you should use Ext3 or reiserfs instead of Ext2 to avoid trashing your filesystem.
Just my two cents.
loophole
Still kicking along with the Abit BP6 