This chapter explains how to start the Red Hat Linux 6.1 installation process. We'll cover the following areas in this chapter:
Getting familiar with the installation program's user interface;
Starting the installation program;
Selecting an installation method.
By the end of this chapter, the installation program will be running on your system, and you will have selected the appropriate installation method.
If you've used a graphical user interface before, you'll find this process to be familiar. If you have not, you simply need to use your mouse to navigate the screens, to "click" buttons or enter text fields. You can also navigate the installation using the Tab and Enter keys.
There is more to the Red Hat Linux installation program than the dialog boxes it presents as you go through the installation process.
In fact, the installation program makes several different kinds of diagnostic messages available to you, in addition to giving you a way to enter commands from a shell prompt. It presents this information on five virtual consoles which you can switch between using a single keystroke.
These virtual consoles can be very helpful if you encounter a problem while installing Red Hat Linux. Messages displayed on the installation or system consoles can help pinpoint the problem. Please see Table 3-1 for a listing of the virtual consoles, the keystrokes 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 log (messages from the kernel, etc.) |
| 5 | Ctrl-Alt-F5 | other messages |
| 7 | Ctrl-Alt-F7 | X graphical display |
In general, there should be no reason to leave the default virtual console (virtual console #7) unless you are attempting to diagnose installation problems. But if you are the curious type, feel free to look around.