Beginning the Installation

If you are planning to install via CD-ROM using the graphical interface, please read on. If not, refer to the Official Red Hat Linux Reference Guide

	Please Note
	If you'd rather perform a text mode installation, reboot your system and at the `boot:` prompt, type `text`. Refer to the Official Red Hat Linux Reference Guide for further instructions.

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 (if you did not boot from the CD-ROM). 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, you will continue to the next stage of the installation process (see the section called Language Selection).

If a drive is not detected, you'll be asked what type of CD-ROM drive you have. 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.

	Tip
	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.

What If the IDE CD-ROM Was Not Found?

If the installation program fails to find your IDE (ATAPI) CD-ROM (it asks you what type of CD-ROM drive you have), restart the installation, and at the boot: prompt 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.

	Please Note
	If you wish to abort the installation process at this time, simply reboot your machine and then eject the boot disk or CD-ROM. You can safely cancel the installation at any point before the `About to Install` screen, see the section called Preparing to Install in Chapter 6.