Here's the problem, I downloaded the ISO's for RH 9.0. I booted off of the disc and got the screen asking if I want the GUI setup or the text. After choosing GUI it asks to verify the disc. The problem is, the keyboard doesn't work. I can't do anything after this. The only option I have is to power it off since the keyboard doesn't seem to want to work. I know the ISO's are good because I loaded it on a homebuilt desktop pc with no problems at all off of the same discs. Here are the specs on the laptop which I bought in January of 2003.

HP Pavilion ZE4210 notebook, Intel® Celeron 1.6GHz processor, 256MB of DDR memory, 14.1-inch XGA display, and ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™, DVD drive, Windows Professional. 20GB Hard Drive 14.1-inch TFT Active Matrix XGA, No Floppy Drive, 16-bit SoundBlaster Pro-compatible Audio Integrated V.90/V.92 56k Modem Integrated 10/100Mbps NIC.

I still have XP Pro loaded on the notebook when I am trying to install RH 9. I DO NOT want to dual boot. I want a clean install of RH 9. Could this be the problem? If so, should I blow away XP?

I need answers. I'm not an expert on Linux but I am trying to get away from Windows.

Anyone have any idea, suggestions, or troubleshooting methods then please let me know.

Thanks
jarnold

That should say Windows XP Professional. And also, I've disovered that I guess the whole system is freezing up, not just the keyboard. Anyway, any idea's on what I can do?

jarnold

Did you try text install? I installed RedHat 9 on a Inspiron laptop and it gave me trouble using the GUI install, but worked using text install. The text install is pretty easy to follow, especially if you've already gone through the install on a desktop.

I was considering a text install but I wasn't sure how hard or easy it would be. How much configuration is involved in the text version? Also, I did hear that I need to disable legacy USB support in the BIOS. If you have any feedback let me know.

Thanks
jarnold

The text install follows the same steps as the GUI install. You just have to use keys for navigation. I haven't heard about disabling USB support in the BIOS. I didn't do anything in the BIOS on my Inspiron other than changing the boot order to enable booting from the CD. Hope that it works.

I appreciate your help. I haven't tried to do anything yet but later I am going to try the text install. Also, the laptop I have is HP so that is probably why I might need to disable legacy USB support. I think that your Inspiron is probably a better system than mine plus it seems that Dell is more open to non-Microsoft products than HP is. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I'll let you know how it goes.

jarnold

type:

linux nopcmcia nousb

I'm assuming you mean type the nopcmcia and nousb during the text install? Also, I still haven't tried this yet. I've been too busy solving Windows problems, haha. Thanks for all the advice.

jarnold