Here some breif install instructions. It's not too hard, but if your new to patching and compiling a kernel, then maybe you should look on the net for a guide that explains the process with more depth.

There is a guide at: http://madpenguin.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=626&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=9a5b1d7c2a87fd91644e4d2e7b43c4c1

And at: http://www.bootsplash.org

This guide is really only a supplemental reference.


1. Patch and compile the kernel with bootsplash enabled. 
Full Instructions are here: http://www.bootsplash.org/kernel.html

You should read those instructions, but the gist of it is:
	1. Download the patch that fits your kernel version from: ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/people/stepan/bootsplash/kernel/
	   If your using the latest kernel version it might be wise to search with google to find a diff file that specifically fits your kernel. If you use another it may or may not work. Eg. the 2.6.3 diff on the suse site works with 2.6.4, but not 2.6.5 or 2.6.6 (for me anyway).
	2. Go to linux kernel source directory
	3. Apply the patch with: /usr/src/linux# patch -p1 < /path/to/bootsplash.diff
	4. make xconfig and enable "Frame-Buffer Support" and "VESA VGA graphics console" in "Console drivers". Enable "Use Splash Screen" and disable "Use Boot Logo". And lastly enable "Initial Ramdisk Support" in "Block Devices"
	5. Compile and install the kernel as usual.

2. Install user space apps
OK the kernel's ready, but you still need to install a program called splash. It's easy to do because it's available as a Slackware tgz package. For some reason it isn't listed on www.linuxpackages.net, but anyway you can get it from: ftp://ftp.linuxpackages.net/pub/Slackware-9.1/pcxz/bootsplash

The package will install some config files, themes (etc/bootsplash)and some documentation (/usr/doc/bootsplash). Also in the doc folder there are some samples.

3. Setup the progressbar
Basically for the progressbar to work it has to be told what percentage the bootup is at. So you'll need to enter "progressbar x" throughout rc.S and rc.M for startup, and in rc.6 for shutdown. ("x" is a number from 0 - 100) You'll have to experiment a bit, and try to compensate for the different things taking different times to start.

4. Install the theme
Extract this theme into /etc/bootsplash/themes
Delete the "current" symlink, and create a new "current" symlink that points to "/etc/bootsplash/themes/slackwarelinux/"

5. Create the initial ram disk
As root:
	# splash -s -f /etc/bootsplash/themes/current/config/bootsplash-1024x768.cfg > /boot/initrd
Or
	# splash -s -f /etc/bootsplash/themes/current/config/bootsplash-1280x1024.cfg > /boot/initrd
Or
	# splash -s -f /etc/bootsplash/themes/current/config/bootsplash-1400x1050.cfg > /boot/initrd

This will create the ram disk at /boot/initrd

6. Edit lilo.conf
There's two lines you need to add to lilo.conf

	vga=791
For 1024 x 768 - 16 bit
Or
	vga=794
For 1280 x 1024 - 16 bit
Or
	vga=834
For 1400 x 1050 - 16 bit (I've heard that this is right, but I've never been able to get it woking on my Dell Inspiron 8100)

And:
	initrd=/boot/initrd
To load the ramdisk at boot

Make sure you've created a new kernel and entry in lilo, just in case something goes wrong.

Run lilo

There's a lilo.conf sample in /usr/doc/bootsplash

7. Reboot
That's it! If something doesn't work. I suggest you check out the other guides for more info.

Good Luck!