I'm able to install R5A30.2 on my box; however, during the installation the installer is clearly trying to find drivers and the zap2it info.

How do I interrupt the auto installer to start my modem connection?

At what point should I interrupt the installation?

What commands can I use to set-up my modem and start my dial-up connection?

(The installation appears to complete successfully. However "Watch TV" gives a black screen and locks up the computer. If I try to view a DVD, the DVD drive appears to have the appropriate activity, but there is no picture or sound. I assume the installation is missing one or more drivers that it can't download until I get my modem working.)

Thanks,
igeo

Search for ppp here and on the wiki. E.g. - http://mysettopbox.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5181&highlight=ppp

Neither of these indicate an installation failure. Your installation probably worked fine, and these are post install configuration issues. For the first one, see the BlackScreenWatchingTV page on the wiki, for the second one try an unecrypted DVD. (You do realize that commerical DVDs are encrypted right?)