Hello all you linux gurus out there.

I'm a Window's admin looking to expand my knowledge and get start learning Linux. I have a dedicated machine that will be running Fedora Core 4. This is my first experience with Linux, so forgive the lack of knowledge.

The machine that I am using is a Dell GX260. A p4 1.8 machine, running a measly 128mb of RAM (will be upgrade to 512 tomorrow), that has an onboard intel 845 display adapter. It is connected to a Continental Digiview HR-70+. I used the GUI install and kept all the default settings. The machine boots up into gnome and I am able to start a GUI session. The gnome sessions is running using a generic 1280x1024 using the built in intel 845 driver.

The trouble happens when I press Ctrl-Alt-F1 to enter a terminal session (? think that's what it is called.) I get no display. The monitor still shows a green light. I bring up the OSD for the monitor and verify that it is running at 720 x 400. I then decided to hook up the factory dell m782 monitor to the box. I changed the hardware from the generic monitor to the correct model.

Restarted the machine, same exact problem. One thing I did notice is that the machine did not display any of the test based shutdown routine. The screen just went blank the same way it did when I was switching to a terminal session. The text based display does appear when the computer is starting up.

Suggestions, remember this is my first experience, be gentle .

Also, recommendation for reading? Being a Windows admin, I'm not just interested in learning another OS, but looking to see what kind of service I can start pushing out to one of these boxes.

Thanks ahead of time.

If you are new to Linux and using FC4 I think a good place to start is
http://stanton-finley.net/fedora_cor...ion_notes.html
They are step by step notes that explain how to set up FC4 and do most of the stuff you would want, like set up your web or FTP server, etc...

As far as using a terminal, is there a reason you are using Ctrl-Alt-F1, which I believe exits the X-session instead of just opening a terminal window inside X?
In FC4 Gnome you should just be able to right click and select Open Terminal to get to use command line.

I hope this is what you wanted to know.