I was trying to install Fedora Core 4 (I know that the release of Core 5 is imminent -- just practicing) and the installer stalled at

running install . . .
running /sbin/loader

rebooting with the nodetect option got me into the preliminary text screens (language, KB, etc.) but I'm not educated enough to manually install drivers from the scroll down list. How am I supposed to know which to select? Isn't there a way to use the boot prompts to disable only the offending device(s) and still auto detect the rest? Also, why isn't there a partitioning option to erase existing LINUX partitions? This is standard on the other distro's I've tried. [N.B. - that last question was a mistake! Fedora CAN repartition as I describe. I was checking out a copy of Ubuntu after I gave up on FC -- that's where I noticed this last problem.]

I bought the four install CD's from a vendor, and they all passed on mediacheck.

I guess you can tell that I'm a Linux newbie, and not very impressed with FC4, so far. BUT, having only a dial-up connection, FC4 (maybe FC5 tomorrow) with the option to install such a variety of apps from the install CD's is really attractive. I would like to try to get the Fedora install working. Or would GNU/Debian be a better choice?

All advice is appreciated.

I was trying to install Fedora Core 4 and the installer stalled at
running install . . .
running /sbin/loader
I don't know if this is far enough into the boot sequence, but you could try (at any stage) key combo's like CTRL+ALT+Fn where n is a number between 1 and 4 to look at messages on the other terms. They may provide progress or error info. BTW, no error messages?


rebooting with the nodetect option got me into the preliminary text screens (language, KB, etc.) but I'm not educated enough to manually install drivers from the scroll down list. How am I supposed to know which to select?
By knowing what your onboard and hardware devices are and looking up the chipsets in the Fedora HCL (hardware compatibility list)?


Isn't there a way to use the boot prompts to disable only the offending device(s) and still auto detect the rest?
I don't know. The boot process provides help screens showing boot options. If it's not mentioned there, it probably isn't there.
If it isn't a crucial device like screen, keyboard, cdr or hd, why not physically remove the device temporarily?
BTW, what exotic or unsupported devices are you talking about?


not very impressed with FC4, so far.
Troubleshooting is about taking time, perseverance and knowledge. If you expect everything to go smooth everytime then you'll be in for some ride regardless of what you do...


I would like to try to get the Fedora install working. Or would GNU/Debian be a better choice?
If it's a problem with exotic or unsupported hardware then switching distro's won't matter AFAIK.