The Red Hat Linux installation program offers more than the dialog boxes of
the installation process. Several different kinds of diagnostic
messages are available to you, in addition to providing a way to enter
commands from a shell prompt. The installation program displays these
messages on five virtual consoles, among which
you can switch using a single keystroke combination.
These virtual consoles can be helpful if you encounter a problem while
installing Red Hat Linux. Messages displayed on the installation or system
consoles can help pinpoint a problem. Please see Table 3-1 for a listing of the virtual consoles,
keystrokes used to switch to them, and their contents.
Table 3-1. Console, Keystrokes, and Contents
| Console
| Keystrokes
| Contents
|
|---|
| 1
| [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F1]
| installation dialog
|
| 2
| [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F2]
| shell prompt
|
| 3
| [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F3]
| install log (messages from installation program)
|
| 4
| [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F4]
| system-related messages
|
| 5
| [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F5]
| other messages
|
| 7
| [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F7]
| X graphical display
|
Generally, there is no reason to leave the default console (virtual
console #7) unless you are attempting to diagnose installation
problems.
