emc problems

Having what seems to be a driver issue here. My buddy installed a
version of Linux on this machine I'm going to use with a homebrew
gantry mill. Every time I start EMC, the computer locks up hard after
a couple minutes. The Linux version screen says it's KDE ver. 3.3.2,
Linux realease 2.6.12.6-magma. There are a couple versions of EMC on
here (a Sherline version and the generic install) but either of them
will lock up. Have to power down at the supply to break it.
Any ideas anyone? I have switched monitor, keyboard and mouse to no
effect. Installer said it ran ok on his bench, doesn't on mine. It's
not hooked up to the mill yet.
Thanks,
Keith