diff --git a/release/sysinstall/Makefile b/release/sysinstall/Makefile
index 06470aa83ecb..357ca6eaba14 100644
--- a/release/sysinstall/Makefile
+++ b/release/sysinstall/Makefile
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ LDADD=	-ldialog -lncurses -lmytinfo -lutil -ldisk -lftpio
 makedevs.c:	Makefile rtermcap keymap.h
 	rm -f makedevs.tmp
 	echo '#include <sys/types.h>' > makedevs.tmp
+	./rtermcap ansi | \
+		file2c 'const char termcap_ansi[] = {' ',0};' \
+		>> makedevs.tmp
 	./rtermcap cons25 | \
 		file2c 'const char termcap_cons25[] = {' ',0};' \
 		>> makedevs.tmp
diff --git a/release/sysinstall/sysinstall.h b/release/sysinstall/sysinstall.h
index 11e6fc5e4ac1..d190a2878868 100644
--- a/release/sysinstall/sysinstall.h
+++ b/release/sysinstall/sysinstall.h
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * This is probably the last attempt in the `sysinstall' line, the next
  * generation being slated to essentially a complete rewrite.
  *
- * $Id: sysinstall.h,v 1.137 1997/06/22 09:45:40 jkh Exp $
+ * $Id: sysinstall.h,v 1.138 1997/07/16 05:22:42 jkh Exp $
  *
  * Copyright (c) 1995
  *	Jordan Hubbard.  All rights reserved.
@@ -556,6 +556,7 @@ extern int	diskLabelCommit(dialogMenuItem *self);
 extern int	lndir(char *from, char *to);
 
 /* makedevs.c (auto-generated) */
+extern const char	termcap_ansi[];
 extern const char	termcap_vt100[];
 extern const char	termcap_cons25[];
 extern const char	termcap_cons25_m[];
diff --git a/release/sysinstall/system.c b/release/sysinstall/system.c
index 22a705299318..61a27c4ef294 100644
--- a/release/sysinstall/system.c
+++ b/release/sysinstall/system.c
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * This is probably the last program in the `sysinstall' line - the next
  * generation being essentially a complete rewrite.
  *
- * $Id: system.c,v 1.80 1997/04/28 10:31:14 jkh Exp $
+ * $Id: system.c,v 1.81 1997/05/27 18:56:03 jkh Exp $
  *
  * Jordan Hubbard
  *
@@ -69,16 +69,37 @@ systemInitialize(int argc, char **argv)
 
     /* Are we running as init? */
     if (getpid() == 1) {
+	int fd, type;
+
+	RunningAsInit = 1;
 	setsid();
 	close(0);
-	if (open("/dev/ttyv0", O_RDWR) < 0)
-	    open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);
+	fd = open("/dev/ttyv0", O_RDWR);
+	if (fd == -1)
+	    fd = open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);	/* fallback */
 	else
 	    OnVTY = TRUE;
+	/*
+	 * To make _sure_ we're on a VTY and don't have /dev/console switched
+	 * away to a serial port or something, attempt to set the cursor appearance.
+	 */
+	type = 0;	/* normal */
+	if (OnVTY) {
+	    int fd2;
+
+	    if ((fd2 = open("/dev/console", O_RDWR)) != -1) {
+		if (ioctl(fd2, CONS_CURSORTYPE, &type) == -1) {
+		    OnVTY = FALSE;
+		    close(fd); close(fd2);
+		    open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);
+		}
+		else
+		    close(fd2);
+	    }
+	}
 	close(1); dup(0);
 	close(2); dup(0);
-	printf("%s running as init\n", argv[0]);
-	RunningAsInit = 1;
+	printf("%s running as init on %s\n", argv[0], OnVTY ? "vty0" : "serial console");
 	i = ioctl(0, TIOCSCTTY, (char *)NULL);
 	setlogin("root");
 	setenv("PATH", "/stand:/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/mnt/bin:/mnt/sbin:/mnt/usr/sbin:/mnt/usr/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin", 1);
diff --git a/release/sysinstall/termcap.c b/release/sysinstall/termcap.c
index 992cb60ee607..fa9c19ff2a1e 100644
--- a/release/sysinstall/termcap.c
+++ b/release/sysinstall/termcap.c
@@ -21,6 +21,50 @@
 #define VTY_STATUS_LINE    24
 #define TTY_STATUS_LINE    23
 
+static void
+prompt_term(char **termp, char **termcapp)
+{
+    char str[80];
+    static struct {
+	const char *term, *termcap;
+    } lookup[] = { { "ansi", termcap_ansi },
+		   { "vt100", termcap_vt100 },
+		   { "cons25", termcap_cons25 },
+		   { "cons25-m", termcap_cons25_m } };
+
+    if (RunningAsInit) {
+	while (1) {
+	    int i;
+
+	    printf("\nThese are the predefined terminal types available to\n");
+	    printf("sysinstall when running stand-alone.  Please choose the\n");
+	    printf("closest match for your particular terminal.\n\n");
+	    printf("1 ...................... Standard ANSI terminal.\n");
+	    printf("2 ...................... VT100 or compatible terminal.\n");
+	    printf("3 ...................... FreeBSD system console (color).\n");
+	    printf("4 ...................... FreeBSD system console (monochrome).\n\n");
+	    printf("Your choice: (1-4) ");
+	    fflush(stdout);
+	    fgets(str, 80, stdin);
+	    i = str[0] - '0';
+	    if (i > 0 && i < 5) {
+		*termp = (char *)lookup[i - 1].term;
+		*termcapp = (char *)lookup[i - 1].termcap;
+		break;
+	    }
+	    else
+		printf("\007Invalid choice, please try again.\n\n");
+	}
+    }
+    else {
+	printf("\nPlease set your TERM variable before running this program.\n");
+	printf("Defaulting to an ANSI compatible terminal - please press RETURN\n");
+	fgets(str, 80, stdin);	/* Just to make it interactive */
+	*termp = (char *)"ansi";
+	*termcapp = (char *)termcap_ansi;
+    }
+}
+
 int
 set_termcap(void)
 {
@@ -31,7 +75,7 @@ set_termcap(void)
     term = getenv("TERM");
     stat = ioctl(STDERR_FILENO, GIO_COLOR, &ColorDisplay);
 
-    if (getpid() != 1) {
+    if (!RunningAsInit) {
 	if (getenv("SYSINSTALL_DEBUG"))
 	    DebugFD = open("sysinstall.debug", O_WRONLY|O_CREAT|O_TRUNC, 0644);
 	else
@@ -42,9 +86,12 @@ set_termcap(void)
 
     if (!OnVTY || (stat < 0)) {
 	if (!term) {
-	    if (setenv("TERM", "vt100", 1) < 0)
+	    char *term, *termcap;
+
+	    prompt_term(&term, &termcap);
+	    if (setenv("TERM", term, 1) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	    if (setenv("TERMCAP", termcap_vt100, 1) < 0)
+	    if (setenv("TERMCAP", termcap, 1) < 0)
 		return -1;
 	}
 	if (DebugFD == -1)
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sade/Makefile b/usr.sbin/sade/Makefile
index 06470aa83ecb..357ca6eaba14 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sade/Makefile
+++ b/usr.sbin/sade/Makefile
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ LDADD=	-ldialog -lncurses -lmytinfo -lutil -ldisk -lftpio
 makedevs.c:	Makefile rtermcap keymap.h
 	rm -f makedevs.tmp
 	echo '#include <sys/types.h>' > makedevs.tmp
+	./rtermcap ansi | \
+		file2c 'const char termcap_ansi[] = {' ',0};' \
+		>> makedevs.tmp
 	./rtermcap cons25 | \
 		file2c 'const char termcap_cons25[] = {' ',0};' \
 		>> makedevs.tmp
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sade/sade.h b/usr.sbin/sade/sade.h
index 11e6fc5e4ac1..d190a2878868 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sade/sade.h
+++ b/usr.sbin/sade/sade.h
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * This is probably the last attempt in the `sysinstall' line, the next
  * generation being slated to essentially a complete rewrite.
  *
- * $Id: sysinstall.h,v 1.137 1997/06/22 09:45:40 jkh Exp $
+ * $Id: sysinstall.h,v 1.138 1997/07/16 05:22:42 jkh Exp $
  *
  * Copyright (c) 1995
  *	Jordan Hubbard.  All rights reserved.
@@ -556,6 +556,7 @@ extern int	diskLabelCommit(dialogMenuItem *self);
 extern int	lndir(char *from, char *to);
 
 /* makedevs.c (auto-generated) */
+extern const char	termcap_ansi[];
 extern const char	termcap_vt100[];
 extern const char	termcap_cons25[];
 extern const char	termcap_cons25_m[];
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sade/system.c b/usr.sbin/sade/system.c
index 22a705299318..61a27c4ef294 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sade/system.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sade/system.c
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * This is probably the last program in the `sysinstall' line - the next
  * generation being essentially a complete rewrite.
  *
- * $Id: system.c,v 1.80 1997/04/28 10:31:14 jkh Exp $
+ * $Id: system.c,v 1.81 1997/05/27 18:56:03 jkh Exp $
  *
  * Jordan Hubbard
  *
@@ -69,16 +69,37 @@ systemInitialize(int argc, char **argv)
 
     /* Are we running as init? */
     if (getpid() == 1) {
+	int fd, type;
+
+	RunningAsInit = 1;
 	setsid();
 	close(0);
-	if (open("/dev/ttyv0", O_RDWR) < 0)
-	    open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);
+	fd = open("/dev/ttyv0", O_RDWR);
+	if (fd == -1)
+	    fd = open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);	/* fallback */
 	else
 	    OnVTY = TRUE;
+	/*
+	 * To make _sure_ we're on a VTY and don't have /dev/console switched
+	 * away to a serial port or something, attempt to set the cursor appearance.
+	 */
+	type = 0;	/* normal */
+	if (OnVTY) {
+	    int fd2;
+
+	    if ((fd2 = open("/dev/console", O_RDWR)) != -1) {
+		if (ioctl(fd2, CONS_CURSORTYPE, &type) == -1) {
+		    OnVTY = FALSE;
+		    close(fd); close(fd2);
+		    open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);
+		}
+		else
+		    close(fd2);
+	    }
+	}
 	close(1); dup(0);
 	close(2); dup(0);
-	printf("%s running as init\n", argv[0]);
-	RunningAsInit = 1;
+	printf("%s running as init on %s\n", argv[0], OnVTY ? "vty0" : "serial console");
 	i = ioctl(0, TIOCSCTTY, (char *)NULL);
 	setlogin("root");
 	setenv("PATH", "/stand:/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/mnt/bin:/mnt/sbin:/mnt/usr/sbin:/mnt/usr/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin", 1);
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sade/termcap.c b/usr.sbin/sade/termcap.c
index 992cb60ee607..fa9c19ff2a1e 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sade/termcap.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sade/termcap.c
@@ -21,6 +21,50 @@
 #define VTY_STATUS_LINE    24
 #define TTY_STATUS_LINE    23
 
+static void
+prompt_term(char **termp, char **termcapp)
+{
+    char str[80];
+    static struct {
+	const char *term, *termcap;
+    } lookup[] = { { "ansi", termcap_ansi },
+		   { "vt100", termcap_vt100 },
+		   { "cons25", termcap_cons25 },
+		   { "cons25-m", termcap_cons25_m } };
+
+    if (RunningAsInit) {
+	while (1) {
+	    int i;
+
+	    printf("\nThese are the predefined terminal types available to\n");
+	    printf("sysinstall when running stand-alone.  Please choose the\n");
+	    printf("closest match for your particular terminal.\n\n");
+	    printf("1 ...................... Standard ANSI terminal.\n");
+	    printf("2 ...................... VT100 or compatible terminal.\n");
+	    printf("3 ...................... FreeBSD system console (color).\n");
+	    printf("4 ...................... FreeBSD system console (monochrome).\n\n");
+	    printf("Your choice: (1-4) ");
+	    fflush(stdout);
+	    fgets(str, 80, stdin);
+	    i = str[0] - '0';
+	    if (i > 0 && i < 5) {
+		*termp = (char *)lookup[i - 1].term;
+		*termcapp = (char *)lookup[i - 1].termcap;
+		break;
+	    }
+	    else
+		printf("\007Invalid choice, please try again.\n\n");
+	}
+    }
+    else {
+	printf("\nPlease set your TERM variable before running this program.\n");
+	printf("Defaulting to an ANSI compatible terminal - please press RETURN\n");
+	fgets(str, 80, stdin);	/* Just to make it interactive */
+	*termp = (char *)"ansi";
+	*termcapp = (char *)termcap_ansi;
+    }
+}
+
 int
 set_termcap(void)
 {
@@ -31,7 +75,7 @@ set_termcap(void)
     term = getenv("TERM");
     stat = ioctl(STDERR_FILENO, GIO_COLOR, &ColorDisplay);
 
-    if (getpid() != 1) {
+    if (!RunningAsInit) {
 	if (getenv("SYSINSTALL_DEBUG"))
 	    DebugFD = open("sysinstall.debug", O_WRONLY|O_CREAT|O_TRUNC, 0644);
 	else
@@ -42,9 +86,12 @@ set_termcap(void)
 
     if (!OnVTY || (stat < 0)) {
 	if (!term) {
-	    if (setenv("TERM", "vt100", 1) < 0)
+	    char *term, *termcap;
+
+	    prompt_term(&term, &termcap);
+	    if (setenv("TERM", term, 1) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	    if (setenv("TERMCAP", termcap_vt100, 1) < 0)
+	    if (setenv("TERMCAP", termcap, 1) < 0)
 		return -1;
 	}
 	if (DebugFD == -1)
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/Makefile b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/Makefile
index 06470aa83ecb..357ca6eaba14 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/Makefile
+++ b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/Makefile
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ LDADD=	-ldialog -lncurses -lmytinfo -lutil -ldisk -lftpio
 makedevs.c:	Makefile rtermcap keymap.h
 	rm -f makedevs.tmp
 	echo '#include <sys/types.h>' > makedevs.tmp
+	./rtermcap ansi | \
+		file2c 'const char termcap_ansi[] = {' ',0};' \
+		>> makedevs.tmp
 	./rtermcap cons25 | \
 		file2c 'const char termcap_cons25[] = {' ',0};' \
 		>> makedevs.tmp
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/sysinstall.h b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/sysinstall.h
index 11e6fc5e4ac1..d190a2878868 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/sysinstall.h
+++ b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/sysinstall.h
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * This is probably the last attempt in the `sysinstall' line, the next
  * generation being slated to essentially a complete rewrite.
  *
- * $Id: sysinstall.h,v 1.137 1997/06/22 09:45:40 jkh Exp $
+ * $Id: sysinstall.h,v 1.138 1997/07/16 05:22:42 jkh Exp $
  *
  * Copyright (c) 1995
  *	Jordan Hubbard.  All rights reserved.
@@ -556,6 +556,7 @@ extern int	diskLabelCommit(dialogMenuItem *self);
 extern int	lndir(char *from, char *to);
 
 /* makedevs.c (auto-generated) */
+extern const char	termcap_ansi[];
 extern const char	termcap_vt100[];
 extern const char	termcap_cons25[];
 extern const char	termcap_cons25_m[];
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/system.c b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/system.c
index 22a705299318..61a27c4ef294 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/system.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/system.c
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * This is probably the last program in the `sysinstall' line - the next
  * generation being essentially a complete rewrite.
  *
- * $Id: system.c,v 1.80 1997/04/28 10:31:14 jkh Exp $
+ * $Id: system.c,v 1.81 1997/05/27 18:56:03 jkh Exp $
  *
  * Jordan Hubbard
  *
@@ -69,16 +69,37 @@ systemInitialize(int argc, char **argv)
 
     /* Are we running as init? */
     if (getpid() == 1) {
+	int fd, type;
+
+	RunningAsInit = 1;
 	setsid();
 	close(0);
-	if (open("/dev/ttyv0", O_RDWR) < 0)
-	    open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);
+	fd = open("/dev/ttyv0", O_RDWR);
+	if (fd == -1)
+	    fd = open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);	/* fallback */
 	else
 	    OnVTY = TRUE;
+	/*
+	 * To make _sure_ we're on a VTY and don't have /dev/console switched
+	 * away to a serial port or something, attempt to set the cursor appearance.
+	 */
+	type = 0;	/* normal */
+	if (OnVTY) {
+	    int fd2;
+
+	    if ((fd2 = open("/dev/console", O_RDWR)) != -1) {
+		if (ioctl(fd2, CONS_CURSORTYPE, &type) == -1) {
+		    OnVTY = FALSE;
+		    close(fd); close(fd2);
+		    open("/dev/console", O_RDWR);
+		}
+		else
+		    close(fd2);
+	    }
+	}
 	close(1); dup(0);
 	close(2); dup(0);
-	printf("%s running as init\n", argv[0]);
-	RunningAsInit = 1;
+	printf("%s running as init on %s\n", argv[0], OnVTY ? "vty0" : "serial console");
 	i = ioctl(0, TIOCSCTTY, (char *)NULL);
 	setlogin("root");
 	setenv("PATH", "/stand:/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/mnt/bin:/mnt/sbin:/mnt/usr/sbin:/mnt/usr/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin", 1);
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/termcap.c b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/termcap.c
index 992cb60ee607..fa9c19ff2a1e 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/termcap.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/termcap.c
@@ -21,6 +21,50 @@
 #define VTY_STATUS_LINE    24
 #define TTY_STATUS_LINE    23
 
+static void
+prompt_term(char **termp, char **termcapp)
+{
+    char str[80];
+    static struct {
+	const char *term, *termcap;
+    } lookup[] = { { "ansi", termcap_ansi },
+		   { "vt100", termcap_vt100 },
+		   { "cons25", termcap_cons25 },
+		   { "cons25-m", termcap_cons25_m } };
+
+    if (RunningAsInit) {
+	while (1) {
+	    int i;
+
+	    printf("\nThese are the predefined terminal types available to\n");
+	    printf("sysinstall when running stand-alone.  Please choose the\n");
+	    printf("closest match for your particular terminal.\n\n");
+	    printf("1 ...................... Standard ANSI terminal.\n");
+	    printf("2 ...................... VT100 or compatible terminal.\n");
+	    printf("3 ...................... FreeBSD system console (color).\n");
+	    printf("4 ...................... FreeBSD system console (monochrome).\n\n");
+	    printf("Your choice: (1-4) ");
+	    fflush(stdout);
+	    fgets(str, 80, stdin);
+	    i = str[0] - '0';
+	    if (i > 0 && i < 5) {
+		*termp = (char *)lookup[i - 1].term;
+		*termcapp = (char *)lookup[i - 1].termcap;
+		break;
+	    }
+	    else
+		printf("\007Invalid choice, please try again.\n\n");
+	}
+    }
+    else {
+	printf("\nPlease set your TERM variable before running this program.\n");
+	printf("Defaulting to an ANSI compatible terminal - please press RETURN\n");
+	fgets(str, 80, stdin);	/* Just to make it interactive */
+	*termp = (char *)"ansi";
+	*termcapp = (char *)termcap_ansi;
+    }
+}
+
 int
 set_termcap(void)
 {
@@ -31,7 +75,7 @@ set_termcap(void)
     term = getenv("TERM");
     stat = ioctl(STDERR_FILENO, GIO_COLOR, &ColorDisplay);
 
-    if (getpid() != 1) {
+    if (!RunningAsInit) {
 	if (getenv("SYSINSTALL_DEBUG"))
 	    DebugFD = open("sysinstall.debug", O_WRONLY|O_CREAT|O_TRUNC, 0644);
 	else
@@ -42,9 +86,12 @@ set_termcap(void)
 
     if (!OnVTY || (stat < 0)) {
 	if (!term) {
-	    if (setenv("TERM", "vt100", 1) < 0)
+	    char *term, *termcap;
+
+	    prompt_term(&term, &termcap);
+	    if (setenv("TERM", term, 1) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	    if (setenv("TERMCAP", termcap_vt100, 1) < 0)
+	    if (setenv("TERMCAP", termcap, 1) < 0)
 		return -1;
 	}
 	if (DebugFD == -1)