Howto: Intel HD Video for Fedora 12

There is a way to install Fedora 12 on a computer that uses an Intel High Definition Video card.   This applies to most i5 and i7 processors using the integrated Intel HD video.   If you have a PCI express video card or an AMD processor, this does not apply.

Book mark this page in case you need to reverse the procedure.

You will need the full install Fedora 12 DVD.  I use the x64 version, the 32bit version works as well.  LiveCD or LiveDVD or LiveUSB will not work.

1.  Boot the system using the Fedora 12 installation DVD.

2.  When prompted select the “install system with basic video driver” installation method.

3.  Proceed and install as usual.

4. Reboot.

5. Update all packages with yum.   Be sure that the xorg-x11-drv-intel package is installed or install it.

6. Reboot again.

7. Open xorg.conf with your favorite editor   /etc/X11/xorg.conf and modify the line that indicates “vesa” to “intel”.

8.. Save xorg.conf.

9. Open menu.lst with your favorite editor  /boot/grub/menu.lst   Create a new stanza based on the top stanza without the “nomodeset” option.  The nomodeset is typically set on the same line as the kernel information.

10. Save menu.lst

11. Reboot.

You should now have the full benefit of the Intel HD Video driver for your Fedora 12 system.  You may want to add compiz and mesa libraries as an enhancement.

If this workaround does not work, add  “vesa”  back to xorg.conf and use the “nomodeset” switch in the menu.lst file.