User's Manual

Section 3.1:The Installation Program User Interface 25
3 Installing Red Hat Linux
This chapter explains how to install Red Hat Linux from the CD-ROM using the graphical, mouse-
based installation program. The following topics are discussed:
• Getting familiar with the installation program’s user interface
• Starting the installation program
• Selecting an installation method
• Configuration steps during the installation (language, keyboard, mouse, etc.)
• Finishing the installation
3.1 The Installation Program User Interface
If you have used a graphical user interface (GUI) before, you will be familiar with this process;
simply use your mouse to navigate the screens, "click" buttons, or enter text fields. You can also
navigate through the installation using the
[Tab] and [Enter] keys.
Note
If you do not wish to use the GUI installation program, the text mode instal-
lation program is also available. To start the text mode installation program,
type the following command at the EFI Shell prompt:
Shell> elilo linux text
3.1.1 A Note about Virtual Consoles
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, Console, Keystrokes, and Contents for a listing of the virtual consoles, keystrokes used to
switch to them, and their contents.