[CentOS] CentOS5: Loss of Prompt & Cursor in Virtual Console Mode

When I log into a virtual console (e.g.,#4) as ordinary user, I 
initially have a prompt & cursor. I then do several ls -l 
/home/user-name and several lines of data. If the number of lines is 
less than it takes to fill the screen, I will retain the prompt & 
cursor. If the number of lines (resulting from that last command) fills 
the screen or more, the last visible line will be data instead of the 
prompt & cursor. The up arrow no longer gives the previous commands. A 
clear command will restore the prompt & cursor.

This bug appeared a week or two after I installed CentOS5.   Bob T.