Getting RedHat 7.2 to install on a Sony Vaio PCG-SRX77P

Summary: Biggest problem was the integrated memory stick, which completely hosed the USB-storage device driver on the boot disk. After dealing with that, just had to do the linux ide2=0x180,0x386 thing that some of the other Sony Viao models need.

Solution: Created custom boot disk with "usb-storage.o" kernel module removed, then burned a new ISO image with that boot floppy image on it.

Steps:

• I created a new pcmcia.img file, which I will provide here since it's a pain to make it yourself, trust me.

• Make new ISO image with boot floppy in it (example using Linux):
  • Extract files from 1st RedHat binary/boot CD into subdirectory foo

  • Copy pcmcia.img file to foo/images/pcmcia.img

  • Make new ISO image: mkisofs -o cd.iso -R -b images/pcmcia.img foo

  • Burn CD from ISO image.

• At the boot prompt type: linux ide2=0x180,0x386