I am a complete Linux newbie but I really want to learn and try it out but I am having a problem installing Red Hat 9, once I get the the option of installing with graphical mode or text mode of course i pick grphical mode because im am a linux nub and i wouldnt know what to do with text mode ne ways right after i pick graphical mode i get a Kernel Panic: Attempted to kill init!, so far i have takin out all my hardware and replaced it except my memory, tried red hat 8 with same result i dont know if maybe its my memory but id like to get this working ]= so any help will be appreciated

Try the text install - it is exactly the same as the gui install, just a lot less pretty. It uses less memory and may be the way to go.

is it possible to downgrade the kernel, like put a older one in the installation and if so how?

I believe it is, but I think you would need a custom bootdisk. When you first insert the cd to install, you get a text prompt where you can put in options. If you select "help" or something similar you should be given the options. One of them may be to select the kernel. I am just guessing as it's been a while since I did an install and to be honest I've never tried doing this.

Howzit

when u boot from the linux setup disk and get to the linux installer type linux noprobe this will allow u to select your hardware that u want and itś not done automatically. I mentioned this because it seems to me that u at least have some knowledge about the hardware u have installed.

Good luck
chow

I am very computer literate so i know the hardware so far i have tried swapping memory, cd-roms, and network cards and so far im unsucessful

OK i tried using linux noprobe and it loads 2 files the screen displays something like this
Boot:
Loading vmlinuz......................................................................
Loading initrd.img.......................................................................
something flashes down here but its to fast and i cant pause it in time to see but i think it might be "done

after that the screen flashes keyboards light blink and i get Kernel Panic: Attempted to kill init!

I'm assuming it does this even before you get to any of the install screens. I think you should:
1. remove any memory cards that didn't come with the pc. I had huge problems once using Compaq memory. You can add it after the install and your kernel should see it and use it.

2. check your cds. Did you md5sum your downloads? It is possible that a problem download is causing the isuues.

yes it does before it reaches any install screens, i will try md5sum on my downloads but i am pretty sure they are fine considering they work on other computers but i will try anyway i am running a soyo kt400 dragon ultra, amdxp2400, 256 mb pc2700 ddr memory, realtek ethernet card (on compatibility list), geforece 4 mx440 64mb, 60 gig maxtor hard drive, yamaha cd burner, and dvd rom, oh ya and a 3 1/2 in floppy

geforce....nvidia....great products but a bit dodgy in linux. I think you'll have to use text mode as it sounds like it's panicing when red hat tries to load the default config x-server for their gui set up.

just my .02

even text mode gives me same error ]=

is there anyway i can make a boot disk?

ok i have tested a new hard drive, memory, video card, cd-rom, network card all possible thing to be swapped it works on my pentium 4 2.0, amd athlon 1200, amd athlon 1600, but for some reason it doesnt like my soyo dragon kt400 ultra is there any cmos settings that anyone knows of that might cause this problem?

There may be a setting in the BIOS called Plug and Play OS. Make sure it's set to no.
If you have any ISA, EISA or Microchannel boards, reserve irq 7 for the first one, 5 if you need a second one, and 9 if you need a third.


when does it write the "Boot" program to memory...I don't mean the Install image,but the small app it puts in memory to 'manage' the install process.....I remember seeing it say it was doing such a thing but I dont remember exactly when it does it. If you can, pop the CD in and see if you get such a msg.

Im thinking you have a bit locked (or some other problem) in the ram, caused by something in the front side bus since you have swapped ram modules. You could use a logic probe if you have one and know how to use it.

Has the MoBo ever been used in a working setup?
Has the CD or DVD (whichever you're using to boot the cd with) been used in a working setup? Could be something in the IDE controller or SCSI card if that's what yer using.
Is the Processor seated firmly in the socket?
On the back of the MoBo can you see any circuit traces that look melted or black?
Whats the output voltages of the power supply? (ground, +5, -5, +12, -12 is right)
Is the power connector from the power supply to the MoBo put on the right direction and secure?
Does the power LED on the MoBo (if it has one) light up, steady and bright?

I'm just listing things I'd look at if I were onsite, not trying to be silly...since you've swapped everything else out it sounds like a motherboard

I hate to double post like this but I just thought of something I want to add without mucking up my previous post.

the kernel (vmlinuz) is loading.
when it passes default parameters for SCSI devices (initrd.img) you get an error. Whats important is to decide if the error is before or after the init image loads.

If it is 'Done" then you crash after of course but if it's not it could be an IDE issue.

E D I T
Just looked up the Motherboard on the net http://www.maximumpc.com/reviews/mot...03-02-19b.html
ATA-RAID on board. I'd almost bet there's your problem. you'll need a custom kernel and init image to boot that high horsepower motherboard. Email a forum mod and get this post put in the Hardware forum and maybe one of the Guru's will have some ideas, as I for one would LOVE to see someone with this monster of a mobo running linux.