Problems with Fedora Core 5 Installation (textmode switching and options not working)?

Question

I have a PC, stats of : 256 mb ram 1 ghz (integrated horrible video and sound cards), with an Intell chipset 810E ( or something of the like, not gonna open case to look at it now),
and I have a Laptop, stats of : 256 mb ram 333 mhz (ATI Rage and integrated cards), don't know about chipset.

Both of these computers are Dells (I am not rich so I couldn't afford anything better, plus I bought these used so I didn't get ripped off by marketers).
On the PC, I was able to install Fedora (C5) in graphical mode and was able to make everything work, in fact I'm typing this up on it right now (I got to tired of having to reinstall winxppro (sp2), my record was 41 times in one month, so finally decided to switch to linux, and it all works good.
On my Laptop, FC5 switches text mode after displaying a message, something of the like "Not enough ram for graphical mode", and during the software picking stage, it does not let you change which software is installed...
continued in additional d...

it it lets you see the different software options (doesnt show descriptions, but I know what everything does), but it does not let you pick what is what, when you enter ok, and look at what is there again, it is switched back to defaults.

I can't relly describe this well, but if this happened to you you'd know what I am talking about, any comments, suggestions?

--- edit --- i forgot to say, that the laptop has 128 and not 256 ram, but i installed fedora core 5 in graphical mode on a 400 mhz 128 ram pc, so that still shouldn't be a problem. I think...

the hardware is fine, fc5 isn't dependent on the hardware (using pc install (32 bit), so that can't be a problem), i have one 128 mb pc100 (laptop ram ) card in it, its not too much of a pain upgrading it all cause i've taken the whole laptop apart, my imac (the very original ones - bondi blue imac out in 98, 32 mb ram lol... the imacs use laptop ram, but the 32 mb ram won't be that much of a difference.) for me upgrading is not an option, if you looked at the pcs i have.... i'm not in possession of funds to upgrade. I'm gonna look up how to clear ram during install, thanks for the advice so far.

Answer 1

If FC5 is complaining of lack of ram, load the OS, then clear the ram of any nonessential operational clogup, then try testing the faulty areas of FC5 and see if that has any beneficial change. if it does, you will need more ram on your laptop, which isn't too expensive, but must be laptop ram, not PC ram, and I suggest getting a qualified computer technician to install the ram for you. If my suggestion has no effect, defrag your hand drive, ensure that the version you have is compatible with laptop hardware, and reinstall till you give up and comply with my initial recommendation. Good luck.

Answer 2

Man !!
You did put a lot of "Additional Infomation "