I tried to install several packages eg vi, xfree,.. via emerge. Install freezes with high cpu load during "make install". I checked the /usr/lib/portage/bin/new* files and foudn out that there is no linefeed at last line and assume thats the problem. In fact a "nano/vi file" and write does solve this problem ! PS.: Had this problem with stage1 and stage 3 on an athlon K6-500. My athlon K7-900 doesnt have this problems though.
Um, those new* commands don't get called during a package's "make install", so I seriously doubt that the "no linefeed" problem is the cause of what you experienced.
