If you've purchased the Red Hat Linux boxed set, you're ready to go! However, mistakes occasionally happen, so now is a good time to double-check the contents of your boxed set. If you haven't purchased a Red Hat Linux boxed set, skip to Section 2.1.3.
The Red Hat Linux boxed set contains the following items:
Let's take a quick look at each item:
The Red Hat Linux Installation Guide is what you're currently reading. It contains the information necessary to install Red Hat Linux. In addition, it contains information about aspects of the operating system that are unique to Red Hat Linux.
These two Compact Discs contain the entire Red Hat Linux distribution, including source code. CD 1 contains all the binary packages built for the type of computer (Intel, Alpha, or SPARC) that you have . CD 2 contains the source packages that were used to build the binary packages on CD 1.
[Intel Systems: These diskettes are used to start the installation process for Red Hat Linux/Intel. Depending on your computer's configuration and the type of installation you select, you may need only the boot diskette, the boot and supplemental diskettes, or none at all. When we discuss the different installation methods later in this chapter, we'll explain which diskettes are needed for each type of installation.]
[Alpha Systems: Alpha owners should refer to Section D.4.0.0.2 for information on which diskettes are required.]
[SPARC Systems: SPARC owners should turn to Section C.5.1 for information on their diskette needs.]
This card contains the license terms for Red Hat Linux, in addition to the license terms for any commercial software that may be included on the Red Hat Linux CD. This is where you'll also find any late-breaking information about Red Hat Linux 5.0.
The alphanumeric registration string on this sticker is used to register you for installation support from Red Hat Software.
If you've purchased the Official Red Hat Linux boxed set from Red Hat Software (or one of its distributors), and you're missing one or more of the items listed above, please let us know! Either call us at 1-888-733-4281 (+1-919-547-0012 outside the USA), or send mail to sales@redhat.com.
If your Red Hat Linux boxed set is complete, please skip ahead to section 2.1.4.
Of course, not everyone purchases a Red Hat Linux boxed set. It's entirely possible to install Red Hat Linux using a CD created by another company, or even via FTP. In these cases, you may need to create one or more diskettes to get started.
[Intel Systems: For people installing Red Hat Linux/Intel, you'll need a boot diskette and, optionally, a supplemental diskette. It is also possible to start the installation directly from the CD, under certain conditions. We'll discuss this in more detail when we outline the various installation methods available.]
[Alpha Systems: People with Alpha-based systems should refer to Section D.4.0.0.2 for additional information on the diskettes they may need.]
[SPARC Systems: SPARC owners should refer to section C.5.1 for information on which diskettes they'll need.]
From time to time, we find that the installation may fail, and that a revised diskette image is required in order for the installation to work properly. In these cases, we make special images available via the Red Hat Linux Errata.
Since this is a relatively rare occurrence, you will in general save time if you try to use the standard diskette images first, and then review the Errata only if you experience any problems completing the installation.
There are two ways to review the Errata:
For now, concentrate only on the Errata entries that include new diskette images (the filenames always end in .img). If you find an entry that seems to apply to your problem, get a copy of the diskette images, and create them using the instructions in Appendix B.