Red Hat Linux 7.2: The Official Red Hat Linux x86 Installation Guide
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# 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 hd`X`=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.

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Selecting an Installation Method | Up | Language Selection