I've been trying to install red hat linux 9.0 all day long on my hp laptop (pavilion ze5170) but without sucess. First I downloaded all 3 i386 iso files and then I burn them to 3 cds. I created a boot diskette and everything.

I have 2 partitions on my hard drive I have windows XP installed on the first one and the other one is completely free.

When I turn the computer on and boot from the diskette I recieve the Red Hat Linux 9.0 Set-up screen where it says to hit enter to continue setup. Ok, now After I hit enter the system starts loading all the files and drivers and then I'm presented with a blue screen where it tells me to select the language. Here is the problem, I can't select anything because it wouldn't let me do anything. It seems like the system hangs or something. but I hit enter and nothing happens, I also try scrolling down the list and it doesnt't work either. I tried in text mode and it didn't work either, the same blue screen to select the language appears and it hangs again.

But I'm concerned I don't know if the system hangs or simply the set-up doesn't recognizes my keyboard. I'm not using any external keyboard, I'm using the regular buit-in keyboard that the notebook brings.

Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks

Carlos

Many laptops are very sensitive to Linux, so you will certainly have to run some options -- when the Red Hat installer boots up, and asks you to press enter, type "linux nomce pci=biosirq ide=nodma"
if that doesn't work, try:
"linux nomce pci=off ide=nodma nousb"
you may need to try interchanging some of these options -- only use pci=off if you HAVE TO. In fact, in an optimal situation, the only header you would run by the kernel is nomce. Good luck -- if that doesn't work there are many FAQs on the 'net (www.linuxlaptops.org)
By the way, I use Arklinux with my laptop -- it's the only distro that's installed flawlessly and has required little additional input from me. It is based on Red Hat and is very user friendly. If all else fails with Red Hat 9, I would recommend giving it a try -- www.arklinux.org
Hope that helps!

for me i just tried linux idebus=66 and thats for the gui installation, for the text you prob have to use that parameter and/or the ones dude supplied

It may not be hanging. There are issues with some laptop keyboards where you have to tap the spacebar during hardware detection at the start of install untill you see the curser move. It worked for my ze4230. Tap once every second on boot untill you see movement. Good luck.

Disable Legacy USB Support in the bios and everything will be fine, Red Hat 9.0 Hangs on it on my Ze4325us. As simple as that

If it works, e-mail me, or i will provide more help.

^_^ Take Care

I have the same laptop, ze5170, and I had the same problem. A lot of people tried to help me install RedHat with all kinds of command line options, but it didn't work. Instead, I ended up installing Mandrake 9.1, and it worked fine.