Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4: Installation Guide for x86, Itanium™, AMD64, and Intel® Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel® EM64T)
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Chapter 4. Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux

This chapter explains how to perform a Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation from the CD-ROM, using the graphical, mouse-based installation program. The following topics are discussed:

4.1. The Graphical Installation Program User Interface

If you have used a graphical user interface (GUI) before, you are already familiar with this process; use your mouse to navigate the screens, click buttons, or enter text fields.

You can also navigate through the installation using the keyboard. The [Tab] key allows you to move around the screen, the Up and Down arrow keys to scroll through lists, [+] and [-] keys expand and collapse lists, while [Space] and [Enter] selects or removes from selection a highlighted item. You can also use the [Alt]-[X] key command combination as a way of clicking on buttons or making other screen selections, where [X] is replaced with any underlined letter appearing within that screen.

NoteNote
 

If you are using an x86, AMD64, or Intel® EM64T system, and you do not wish to use the GUI installation program, the text mode installation program is also available. To start the text mode installation program, use the following command at the boot: prompt: 

linux text

Refer to Section 4.2 The Text Mode Installation Program User Interface for a brief overview of text mode installation instructions.

It is highly recommended that installs be performed using the GUI installation program. The GUI installation program offers the full functionality of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation program, including LVM configuration which is not available during a text mode installation.

Users who must use the text mode installation program can follow the GUI installation instructions and obtain all needed information.

NoteNote
 

If you are using an Itanium system, and you do not wish to use the GUI installation program, the text mode installation program is also available. To start the text mode installation program, type the following command at the EFI Shell prompt: 

elilo linux text

4.1.1. A Note about Virtual Consoles

The Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation program offers more than the dialog boxes of the installation process. Several kinds of diagnostic messages are available to you, as well as 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.

A virtual console is a shell prompt in a non-graphical environment, accessed from the physical machine, not remotely. Multiple virtual consoles can be accessed simultaneously.

These virtual consoles can be helpful if you encounter a problem while installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Messages displayed on the installation or system consoles can help pinpoint a problem. Refer to Table 4-1 for a listing of the virtual consoles, keystrokes used to switch to them, and their contents.

Generally, there is no reason to leave the default console (virtual console #7 for graphical installations) unless you are attempting to diagnose installation problems.

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

Table 4-1. Console, Keystrokes, and Contents

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System Requirements Table The Text Mode Installation Program User Interface