Chapter 9. Using the Fedora installer

⁠Chapter 9. Using the Fedora installer

This chapter describes an installation using the graphical user interface of anaconda.

⁠9.1. The Text Mode Installation Program User Interface

Important — Graphical installation recommended

We recommend that you install Fedora using the graphical interface. If you are installing Fedora on a system that lacks a graphical display, consider performing the installation over a VNC connection – see Chapter 14, Installing Through VNC. If anaconda detects that you are installing in text mode on a system where installation over a VNC connection might be possible, anaconda asks you to verify your decision to install in text mode even though your options during installation are limited.

If your system has a graphical display, but graphical installation fails, try booting with the xdriver=vesa option – refer to Chapter 11, Boot Options

Important — Graphical Interface on the Installed System

Installing in text mode does not prevent you from using a graphical interface on your system once it is installed.

Apart from the graphical installer, anaconda also includes a text-based installer.

If one of the following situations occurs, the installation program uses text mode:

The installation system fails to identify the display hardware on your computer
You choose the text mode installation by entering the following command at the boot: prompt
```
linux text
```

While text mode installations are not explicitly documented, those using the text mode installation program can easily follow the GUI installation instructions. However, because text mode presents you with a simpler, more streamlined installation process, certain options that are available in graphical mode are not also available in text mode. These differences are noted in the description of the installation process in this guide, and include:

configuring advanced storage methods such as LVM and RAID.
customizing the partition layout
customizing the bootloader layout
selecting packages during installation

If you choose to install Fedora in text mode, you can still configure your system to use a graphical interface after installation. Refer to Section 17.2, “Switching to a Graphical Login” for instructions.

To configure options not available in text mode, consider using a boot option. For example, the linux ip option can be used to configure network settings. Refer to Section 11.1, “Configuring the Installation System at the Boot Menu” for instructions. Alternatively, consider a kickstart installation. Refer to Section 15.4, “Kickstart Options” for available kickstart options.

Note

Not every language supported in graphical installation mode is also supported in text mode. Specifically, languages written with a character set other than the Latin or Cyrillic alphabets are not available in text mode. If you choose a language written with a character set that is not supported in text mode, the installation program will present you with the English versions of the screens.

⁠9.1.1. Using the Keyboard to Navigate

Navigation through the installation dialogs is performed through a simple set of keystrokes. To move the cursor, use the Left, Right, Up, and Down arrow keys. Use Tab, and Shift-Tab to cycle forward or backward through each widget on the screen. Along the bottom, most screens display a summary of available cursor positioning keys.

To "press" a button, position the cursor over the button (using Tab, for example) and press Space or Enter. To select an item from a list of items, move the cursor to the item you wish to select and press Enter. To select an item with a checkbox, move the cursor to the checkbox and press Space to select an item. To deselect, press Space a second time.

Pressing F12 accepts the current values and proceeds to the next dialog; it is equivalent to pressing the OK button.

Warning

Unless a dialog box is waiting for your input, do not press any keys during the installation process (doing so may result in unpredictable behavior).