Chapter 4. Graphical User Interface Installation

Beginning the Installation

If you are planning to install via CD-ROM using the new graphical interface, please read on.

If you are planning to do a text mode installation, type text at the boot: prompt and refer to the Official Red Hat Linux Reference Guide .

Installing from CD-ROM

To install Red Hat Linux from CD-ROM, choose "CD-ROM," and select OK . When prompted, insert the Red Hat Linux CD into your CD-ROM drive. Once done, select OK , and press Enter . The installation program will then probe your system and attempt to identify your CD-ROM drive. It will start by looking for an IDE (also known as ATAPI) CD-ROM drive. If found, the installation will continue. If not detected, you will be asked what type of CD-ROM drive you have. You can choose from the following types:

SCSI: Select this if your CD-ROM drive is attached to a supported SCSI adapter; the installation program will then ask you to choose a SCSI driver. Choose the driver that most closely resembles your adapter. You may specify options for the driver if necessary; however, most drivers will detect your SCSI adapter automatically.
Other: If your CD-ROM drive is neither an IDE nor a SCSI, it's an "other." Sound cards with proprietary CD-ROM interfaces are good examples of this CD-ROM type. The installation program presents a list of drivers for supported CD-ROM drives -- choose a driver and, if necessary, specify any driver options.

Please Note: A partial list of optional parameters for CD-ROM drives can be found in the Official Red Hat Linux Reference Guide , in the General Parameters and Modules appendix.

If you have an IDE (ATAPI) CD-ROM drive and the installation program fails to find it (in other words, it asks you what type of CD-ROM drive you have), you must restart the installation, and enter linux hdX =cdrom . Replace the X with one of the following letters, depending on the interface the unit is connected to, and whether it is configured as master or slave:

a - First IDE controller, master
b - First IDE controller, slave
c - Second IDE controller, master
d - Second IDE controller, slave

(If you have a third and/or fourth controller, simply continue assigning letters in alphabetical order, going from controller to controller, and master to slave.)

Once identified, you will be asked to insert the Red Hat Linux CD into your CD-ROM drive. Select OK when you have done so. After a short delay, the next dialog box will appear.

After booting, the installation program begins by displaying the language screen. If you wish to abort the installation process at this time, simply eject the boot diskette or CD-ROM now and reboot your machine.

You can safely cancel the installation at any point before you configure X for your system. However, once X has been configured, partitions will be written and packages will be installed.