Hi, You can include a Kickstart file on the install CD or specify one with boot parameters. This is how appliance venders give us ISO images of their software. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Scott Granados Sent: 11 October 2011 18:41 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Unassisted linux install? Hi, So I have a Dell 1950 server. Are there any methods for unattended or unassisted install for blind users of Linux, specifically CentOS? What’s the latest? Can I use a serial cable with the Dell and do a console install? I don’t have a kickstart server in place else this would be simple. Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks Scott _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

Most linux distros have accessible installs these days. In fact, the current debian testing version has a talking install that doesn't even require any specialized hardware, just a sound card So I would think CentOS would have a way to start the linuxscreen reader with a hardware synth. Debian has had that for years. so if you're just doing a single install, I'd look into what kind of accessible install is available via CentOS The linux screen reader for character mode, its called speakup, is well worth learning. Speakup has saved my bacon on many occasion. You can get speech really early in the boot process with speakup. On a related note, I do the vast majority of my linux installs with a tool called FUlly Automatic Install. You may be able to adapt it for CentOS but its really a debian/ubuntu tool. Also, it wouldn't be worth setting it up for a single install. Anyway, the reason I mention it is that I have it set up so that I get speech even before it detects the hard drive. Speakup can be included in the boot kernel so it starts talking as soon as the kernel comes up. . If it can't read your boot CD you're in trouble. But after that, you can at least get diagnostic messages. On Oct 11, 2011, at 12:40 PM, Scott Granados wrote:

Hi,

So I have a Dell 1950 server. Are there any methods for unattended or unassisted install for blind users of Linux, specifically CentOS? What’s the latest? Can I use a serial cable with the Dell and do a console install? I don’t have a kickstart server in place else this would be simple.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks Scott

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