Chapter 9. Installing Red Hat Linux with the Text Mode Installer

This release of Red Hat Linux features a new graphical, mouse-based installation program, documented in the Official Red Hat Linux Installation Guide . But you can also install Red Hat Linux with a text mode, keyboard-based installation program. This chapter explains how to use it. Here are some recommendations:

If you've never installed Linux before, you should read the Official Red Hat Linux Installation Guide first. Even though it covers the graphical installation process, most of the concepts do apply to the text-mode installation as well. After that, you'll find that Chapter 8 will give you more in-depth information regarding those aspects of installing Red Hat Linux that do not apply to the graphical installation process.

In addition, you might find Appendix C interesting, as it discusses disk partition resizing (crucial if you plan to install Linux on a disk where Windows or another operating system is currently installed).
If you'll need PCMCIA to perform the install (for example, you're installing on a laptop equipped with a PCMCIA card), you must make a PCMCIA boot disk. The Official Red Hat Linux Installation Guide explains how to do this.
If you plan to install over a network (via NFS, FTP, or HTTP), you must make a network boot diskette. The Official Red Hat Linux Installation Guide explains how to do this.
If you've never used the text mode installation program, or need a refresher on its user interface, read the next section.
If you want to use the fdisk partitioning program during installation, start the install program in expert mode. ( the section called Boot Options explains how to do this.) If you're installing on an Alpha or SPARC station, read the Official Red Hat Linux Alpha/SPARC Installation Addendum to determine whether you must start the install program in expert mode.
To begin installation without further delay, turn to the section called Starting the Installation Program .

The Installation Program User Interface

The Red Hat Linux text mode installation program uses a screen-based interface that includes most of the on-screen "widgets" commonly found on graphical user interfaces. Figure 9-1 and Figure 9-2 illustrate the screens you'll see.

Figure 9-1. Installation Program Widgets

Figure 9-2. More Installation Program Widgets

Here's a list of the most important widgets shown in the figures:

Window -- Windows (usually referred to as dialog boxes in this manual) will appear on your screen throughout the installation process. At times, one window may overlay another; in these cases, you may only interact with the window on top. When finished with that window, it will disappear, allowing you to continue with the window that was underneath.
Text Input -- Text input lines are regions where you can enter information required by the installation program. When the cursor rests on a text input line, you may enter and/or edit information on that line.
Check Box -- Check boxes allow you to select or deselect a feature. The box displays either an asterisk (selected) or a space (unselected). With the cursor resting within a check box, press Space to select an unselected feature or to deselect a selected feature.
Text Widget -- Text widgets are regions of the screen that are devoted to the display of text. At times, text widgets may also contain other widgets, such as check boxes. If a text widget contains more information than can be displayed in the space reserved for it, a scroll bar appears; if you position the cursor within the text widget, you can then use the uparrow and downarrow keys to scroll through all the information available. Your current position is shown on the scroll bar by a # character, which moves up and down the scroll bar as you scroll.
Button Widget -- Button widgets are the primary method of interacting with the installation program. You progress through the windows of the installation program by "pressing" these buttons. Buttons may be pressed when they are highlighted.
Cursor -- Although not a widget, the cursor is used to select (and interact) with a particular widget. As the cursor is moved from widget to widget, it may cause the widget to change color, or you may only see the cursor itself positioned in or next to the widget. In Figure 9-1 , the cursor is positioned on the Ok button. Figure 9-2 shows the cursor on the first line of the text widget at the top of the window.

Using the Keyboard to Navigate

You navigate through the installation dialogs using a simple set of keystrokes. To move the cursor, use leftarrow , rightarrow , uparrow , and downarrow . Use Tab , and Alt - Tab to cycle forward or backward through each widget on the screen. Most screens display along the bottom a summary of available cursor positioning keys.

To "press" a button, position the cursor over the button (using Tab , for instance) and press Space (or Enter ). To select an item from a list of items, move the cursor to the item you wish to select and press Enter . To select an item with a check box , move the cursor to the check box and press Space to select an item. To deselect, press Space a second time.

Pressing F12 accepts the current values and proceeds to the next dialog; it is equivalent to pressing the Ok button.

Please Note: Unless a dialog box is waiting for your input, do not press any keys during the installation process -- doing so may result in unpredictable behavior.