Beginning the Installation

If you are planning to install via CD-ROM using the graphical interface, please continue reading.

If you would rather perform a text mode installation, reboot your system and at the boot: prompt, type text. Refer to Chapter 4 for a more information.

	Note
	If you already have another operating system installed and want to create a dual boot system so that you can use both Red Hat Linux and the other operating system, please read Appendix G for more information.

Installing from CD-ROM

To install Red Hat Linux from a CD-ROM, choose the CD-ROM option from the boot loader screen 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 the CD is in the CD-ROM drive, 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 an ATAPI) CD-ROM drive. If found, you will continue to the next stage of the installation process (see the section called Language Selection).

	Note
	To abort the installation process at this time, reboot your machine and then eject the boot diskette 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 for more information.

If a CD-ROM drive is not detected, you will 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 is an "other." Sound cards with proprietary CD-ROM interfaces are good examples of this type of CD-ROM. The installation program will display 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 you have an IDE (ATAPI) CD-ROM, but the installation program fails to find your IDE (ATAPI) CD-ROM and asks you what type of CD-ROM drive you have, try the following boot command. 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, continue assigning letters in alphabetical order, going from controller to controller, and master to slave.