swiching from 2.2.20 to 2.4.18-k7

I have a small K7 shuttle.
On it i have a mail server and a samba server.
I installed Debian Woody on it.
Everything is installed from the apt.

This morning I installed the 2.4.18-k7 kernel from the apt.

my problem is I like to run my shuttle without a mouse, but this new kernel refuses to boot without the pci mouse pluged in.

can someone help ?