Update: I used the nomdeset kernel option and the laptop is now usable
(add nomodeset to the kernel line in /etc/grub.conf).
The laptop is still in runlevel 3 and I have to use startx to start X windows
but it works. However, when I tried to logout of X, the laptop hung so
all is not fixed.
There are several bugs on RedHat's bugzilla that are tracking this
or related issues. The one I posted to is 467821, reported by
Dave Jones, 10/20/08.
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=467821
Hope all had a good turkey day and got out their Christmas/Holiday decorations!
--
Wade Hampton