Installation guide

able during a text mode installation.

Users who must use the text mode installation program can follow the GUI installa-

tion instructions and obtain all needed information.

Note

If you are using an Itanium system, and you do not wish to use the GUI installation

program, the text mode installation program is also available. To start the text

mode installation program, type the following command at the EFI Shell prompt:

elilo linux text

1.1. A Note about Virtual Consoles

The Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation program offers more than the dialog boxes of the in-

stallation process. Several kinds of diagnostic messages are available to you, as well as a way

to enter commands from a shell prompt. The installation program displays these messages on

five virtual consoles, among which you can switch using a single keystroke combination.

A virtual console is a shell prompt in a non-graphical environment, accessed from the physical

machine, not remotely. Multiple virtual consoles can be accessed simultaneously.

These virtual consoles can be helpful if you encounter a problem while installing Red Hat Enter-

prise Linux. Messages displayed on the installation or system consoles can help pinpoint a

problem. Refer to Table 4.1, “Console, Keystrokes, and Contents” for a listing of the virtual con-

soles, keystrokes used to switch to them, and their contents.

Generally, there is no reason to leave the default console (virtual console #6) for graphical in-

stallations unless you are attempting to diagnose installation problems.

console keystrokes contents

1 ctrl-alt-f1 installation dialog

2 ctrl-alt-f2 shell prompt

3 ctrl-alt-f3 install log (messages from in-

stallation program)

4 ctrl-alt-f4 system-related messages

5 ctrl-alt-f5 other messages

6 ctrl-alt-f6 x graphical display

Table 4.1. Console, Keystrokes, and Contents

1.1. A Note about Virtual Consoles