mysql - bulk insert troubleshoot loading data

Hi i have a situation, not that critical, it is a mysql test database we are experimenting to load data into it. we are using LOAD DATA LOCAL INFILE to load data into mysql mysql is installed on linux machine on my own dedicated server. so we have full rights to do anything. Problem: 1. currently there are 212,000 rows in the table. 978Mb size for this table. when we try to insert data it hangs. I checked table stats and max record count, everything is good. This is what i like to accomplish. resolve this issue and allow us to load any number of records we are trying 500records per load thru load data infile. we have a perl script to do this. I even prepared to truncate the table and reload if needed. all data is test data. But not sure if this is the issue with the table or my environment variables somepone who is knowledgeable with mysql admin, linux, perl, webmin (is my control panel) skill will be helpful i can give full access to my machine so you can trouble shoot. do not expect lot of money for this. $20 to $30 is lot for me.