Speakup Keypad Slowness with Install Discs

[Zachary]

Hi,
For some indefinable reason, my Linux install ISO's with speakup have begun 
to exhibit signs of what I can only call Keypad Slowness.  The numeric 
keypad, which is essential to most all commands, has stopped working 
correctly.  It basically refuses to respond when I give a command.
This is happening with ISO's that I have used successfully before. 
Slackware, Debian, and even Gentoo.  I have made no significant hardware 
changes, nor have I modified the ISO's/.
Should I try something like doing a full erase of my cdrw disc?  Or is that 
not the issue?
By the way, when I say slowly, I mean really slowly.  Try 10 seconds, or not 
at all, for instance.
Thanks,
Zack