Very Computer

I am trying to do a CD-boot install of Redhat 5.2 on a Gateway laptop
that obviously has a video card that linux does not recognize. Even if
I try to use the text or expert install keywords it appears to still
try to install via the graphical interface and crashes before the
partitioning step. If I alt-F2 I can see the install trying to run
some graphical stuff and then give up.

As this laptop only boots via CDrom OR floppy but not both, where can
I go from here? Can I somehow do a super simple install just to get up
and running and then do all the packages later when the system is able
to boot?

Alternatively, are there any boot parameters that I could use to force
it to do a text install or force it to use standard vga? I have
followed the install instructions but obviously the CDboot scripts are
stuffed.

Another idea was that if I knew which scripts ran and in which order I
may be able to tweak them and burn a new CD with the corrected
information.

I was thinking of something like:

  linux: expert text screen=force_vga

On Sat, 28 Jul 2001 00:52:48 +1000,

+ I am trying to do a CD-boot install of Redhat 5.2

That's pretty old.

+ on a Gateway laptop that obviously has a video card that linux does not
+ recognize.

Which video chipset does it have? if it is a semi-recent machine, it's
likely to be either an ATI Rage mobility or a Neomagic. Both are pretty
well supported.

+ Another idea was that if I knew which scripts ran and in which order I
+ may be able to tweak them and burn a new CD with the corrected
+ information.

I'd try a more-up-to-date version of RH (or some other distro)
first. That strikes me as being a heck of a lot simpler than trying to
home-brew an installation CD.

James
--
Consulting Minister for Consultants, DNRC
I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow
isn't looking good, either.
I am BOFH. Resistance is futile. Your network will be assimilated.