Well, I got the video running on my Inspiron 8100 with RH7.2 (I can proudly paste on my Powered by Redhat sticker) so I am am excited at being able to use Linux with Staroffice 6 on my new laptop. I just wanted to contribute back to the group which helped me. Here is the process I used to install and configure Redhat so that it would work with my video. For my guides, I used the excellent posts from Eric Sundby and Chip Turner (posts 7259 and 7496 respectively). I used both because I encountered the black box around the screen also and fixed it with the directions from 7496. Please realize that this is a dual boot laptop. 1. In windows, from http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=linux I downloaded the following files: NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-1541.src.rpm & NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-1541.src.rpm (please note that they are both have the "src" in their names) 2. Did a standard laptop install using GRUB with default settings (I wanted a dual boot 'cause I am still a newbie and learning) 3. During the package selection, I chose the main package groups (GNOME, KDE) as well as checked the "Choose Individual Packages" box. 4. From the individual packages menu, I went to DEVELOPMENT, and then to SYSTEM and included the "kernel-source" package. (you will need this later) 5. Told it to skip X configuration. (checked the box that said "skip X configuration) 6. Loaded up with GRUB, and pressed "e" to edit, "e" again to edit the 2nd command line to add a "3" before the "RO" ex: change "kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.7-10 ro root=/dev/hda2 hdb=ide-scsi" to "kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.7-10 3 ro root=/dev/hda2 hdb=ide-scsi" (this will allow you to boot in console mode of Linux) 7. As superuser (root), connected to my windows partition by issuing the following commands: mkdir /mnt/windows mount -t vfat /dev/hda1 /mnt/windows (note: in my laptop, Windows ME is installed in the internal harddrive while Linux resides in the second/removeable hard drive) 8. While looking at those files in the windows partition in Linux, I copied those files into my linux partition by issuing the following commands: cp NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-1541.src.rpm /home/whatevername cp NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-1541.src.rpm /home/whatevername (note: I learned about his cool feature in the console where you type the first few letters of the looong filename and then press tab. Linux will then attempt to complete the rest of the loong filename for you. Try it out!) 9. I then moved to the directory where I copied those two files. (most likely /home/whatevername if you followed my way). Then, I issued the following commands: rpm --rebuild NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-1541.src.rpm rpm -Uvh /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-1541.i386.rpm rpm --rebuild NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-1541.src.rpm rpm -Uvh /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-1541.i386.rpm 10. Ran Xconfigurator. Use it by typing "Xconfigurator" on the console line. I then chose Dell 1600X Laptop Display Panel as my monitor. I also avoided doing the probe or the monitor test. 11. In console, I then went to /etc/X11/ and opened up the file "XF86Config-4" with VI. (you could choose your favorite editor here) 12. Following the instructions from post 7496, I changed "nv" to "nvidia" and commented out (added a "#" in front of the command line) the following command lines: Load "GLcore" # OpenGL support Load "dri" # Direct rendering infrastructure 13. Went to /etc/inittab and changed the 3 to 5. IMPORTANT NOTE: Follow the instructions and do not change it to either 6 or 1. 14. To reboot, entered the command: /sbin shutdown -r now Notes: a. I feel my XF86Config-4 file is not optimized. As I gain experience and knowledge, I will tackle this later. But for now, I have to learn linux. b. Make sure to read the documentation by Nvidia and Redhat. This post is intended to help. Use it at your own risk. c. This process was used on a computer with the 16 Mb GEforce 2 GO. For some reason, if I chose only the 1600x1200 resolution, X wouldn't start. So, it starts if I make lower resolution modes available. I haven't checked what the highest resolution I can get. Am I right in assuming that my hardware doesn't have the power to support 1600x1200? Good luck everyone! Geoff ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> StartMeUp jump starts your car's battery using only the cigarette lighter. $24.95 at Youcansave.com http://us.click.yahoo.com/k4tJlC/LTTDAA/ySSFAA/s5T0lB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------------------------------------------- Please post your X config files in the group links or database FAQ: http://www.whacked.net/ldl-faq Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/