68 Chapter 4:Installing Red Hat Linux via Text Mode
4.1.1 Basic Hardware Configuration
You should have a basic understanding of the hardware installed in your computer, including the fol-
lowing:
• Hard drive(s) — specifically, the number, size, and type. If you have more than one, it is helpful
to know which one is first, second, and so on. It is also good to know if your drives are IDE or
SCSI. If you have IDE drives, you should check your computer’s BIOS to see if you are accessing
them in linear mode. Please refer to your computer’s documentation for the proper key sequence to
access the BIOS. Note that your computer’s BIOS may refer to linear mode by other names, such
as "large disk mode." Again, your computer’s documentation should be consulted for clarification.
• Memory — the amount of RAM installed in your computer.
• CD-ROM — most importantly, the unit’s interface type (IDE, SCSI, or other interface) and, for
non-IDE, non-SCSI CD-ROMs, the make and model number. IDE CD-ROMs (also known as AT-
API) are the most common type of CD-ROM in recently manufactured, PC-compatible computers.
• SCSI adapter (if one is present) — the adapter’s make and model number.
• Network card (if one is present) — the card’s make and model number.
• Mouse — the mouse’s type (serial, PS/2, or bus mouse), protocol (Microsoft, Logitech, Mouse-
Man, etc.), and number of buttons; also, for serial mice, the serial port it is connected to.
On many newer systems, the installation program is able to automatically identify most hardware.
However, it is a good idea to collect this information anyway, just to be sure.
4.1.2 Video Configuration
If you will be installing the X Window System, you should also be familiar with the following:
• Your video card— the card’s make and model number (or the video chipset ituses) and theamount
of video RAM it has. (Most PCI-based cards are auto-detected by the installation program.)
• Your monitor — the unit’s make and model number, along with allowable ranges for horizontal
and vertical refresh rates. (Newer models may be auto-detected by the installation program.)
4.1.3 Network-related Information
If you are connected to a network, be sure you know the following:
• IP address — usually represented as a set of four numbers separated by dots, such as 10.0.2.15.
• Netmask — another set of four numbers separated by dots; an example netmask would be
255.255.248.0.
