I tried to install fedora as a dual boot. I created a partition and the install went fine. I could boot vista no problem. I loaded fedora and it went through the login screen and then went balck. I restarted and went back to vista and deleted the partition and then when I restarted, it was stuck at the grub loader. I didn't like vista that much anyway so I then loaded fedora over vista and partitioned the whole drive. I am still abel to get to the login and then after that it loads a black screen with no response. I am VERY new to linux. I used it on a friends pc and I really like it, I just don't know much about it. At this point, I am on a deserted island and would love it if someone threw me a life-preserver. Also, like the novice that I am, I don't have any of my drivers. I have a HP Pavilion dv6000 widescreen. ANY help at all, would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you, Jesse

What exactly did you do the last time? I read it as you wanted to use the whole drive for Fedora now. Yes? If so, did you reinstall Fedora telling it to use the whole drive?

I also got rid of Vista and I am now running Fedora 9 (beta). I only bought the laptop for the purpose of running Linux on it anyway. You may want to download a newer copy of Fedora. Fedora 8 is the current and 9 is in beta. I don't think 5 is supported any longer.

Fedora does not have a long supported life-cycle per release. That is why the advice to go with Fedora 8 is wise.

If you are new to Linux and want an RPM-based system (Red Hat Enterprise, Fedora, and so on), I'd suggest CentOS. I understand hat's not what you want to hear trying to get something installed.

Also, you could consider Ubuntu, which is both a good beginner's distro but is equally at home working as a server/workstation.

As to a black screen, I would suggest that your graphics is involved, another reason to go with Fedora 8. If your hardware is new, there may be something that confuses Fedora 5's installation.

I'm not familiar with HP's model numbers. Is this a laptop or a non-laptop?

Its a laptop. I am not sure where to go to get a newer copy of Fedora. I got this copy at school and it was the newest one they had. Also, if I get a newer copy, can I just load it over the other copy I have now. I think you're right though, it seems like a graphics problem except that the graphics seem fine until I login. I really appreciate the help and patience. I think the concept of a free OS is amazing but it is hard to get support for it because of that. You guys are really great and I hope you don't get frustrated with me.

You can download Fedora here: Get Fedora. I would get Fedora 8 and do a new install.

As for the support, it is easy to find through reading the man pages, googling for help, and forums like this. There are tons of books out there as well, all free. If you are willing to read and learn you will have it up and running in no time.

I'll second and third the above. In addition -
www.fedorafaq.org
... strong quickie guide

http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-f8.html
... more in-depth about installation.

Guess I'm forthing it. Totally sounds like the graphics driver is the issue or the driver might not support the refresh rate of the attached monitor (in this case the LCD).

This probably won't help you in the long run, but you might be able to attach a CRT monitor to the vga port on the laptop and actually get a display.

I also second the Ubuntu recomendation. Almost everything should be supported out of the box now with the dv6000(I had some hibernation issues with my dv5000, but it was better on my dv9000). Live CD and install CD on the same disc is totally win-win. If it doesn't work you toss it; if it does, you just click install from the live CD.

/2cents

In the mjmwired link provided above, near the top of the page is a link called "install Nvidia drivers". Once you get F8 installed, follow those instructions for your graphics driver.

Thank you Everybody,
I got F8 installed and it is working well. I still have a massive amount of updates to look through but other than that it seems to be working fine. I am going to try the links above and see if I can locate the wireless driver, which seems to be the only one missing. I really need to sit down and read up F8. Simon Bridge, thank you for the guides I am going to check them out this weekend. And once again, thanks to all of you. I am really excited about learning and using Linux.

On Ubuntu, we unselect the CD as a source from System -> Administration -> Software sources. See if there's something similar in Fedora 8.

fedora uses yum for package management - pirut is the equivalent symantec - it will have on option to select or unselect repos that it knows about.

Yum does not use a single file for repos, instead there is one file per repo.