Hardware problems
 

I am trying to install RedHat 7.2 onto a Packard Bell Spirit computer. configured i with its own brand (rebadged?) of flat-screen monitor and very little documentation.

The furthest I have got with my attempts at installing 7.2 on a dual-boot basis ends up with the installation hanging on kswapd 1.8

I suspect that I may simply have to sideline the Packard Bell and have a decent plain-vanilla machine built for me.

However I don't like quitting, and I wondered if anyone could guide me to some way of extracting the full configuration of my machine despite the lack of documentation so I could give it another try.

I have tried the RedHat database but they don't even recognise the existence of PB as manufacturers which I guess confirms my belief that they simply rebadge.

Is there some software which will scan my hardware and do a report. Or should I just give up, get a new PC (just for Linux) and make sure I never buy another PB again.

All help greatly appreciated.

Hi,
few things here. Seems like you are trying to install a recent version of RedHat (7.2) on an old PC. Well mostlikely you'll have compatibility issues with the hardware. If you are going to invest the time to find out what type of hardware is in it, I'd get my hands inside the PC to find out. Also, you could try to install an older RedHat distro version, say 6.1. It all depends on how much time you want to spend making it work.
One peace of advise. If I were you, I wouldn't trash it. Keep it and experiment with it. And, yes I'd also get a newer replacement for it.
Good luck!

:p

Thanks for your ideas. The PC isn't too old (Pentium 3) but it's a weird machine. I think I shall keep it as a Windows machine and get a new PC just for Linux with fully compatible hardware - I guess I've been looking for an excuse to treat myself anyway and get away from the Windoze environment - this way I can do both!:)))