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downloading and installing Suse Linux

i have been to the ftp mirrors for suse and downloaded the full directory for suse 7.3 . i would like to know how i would go about doing an installation using this directory. i know that i cannot make a bootable cd. what are the disk sets that i need to create and can i specify that directory as the installation source.

All my partitions are set up and would only have to be formatted during reinstallation.

i am currently running a dual boot with xp and mandrake 8.2 using lilo and that is working fine.

jsnorman

Install the demo CD (which is downloadable). Then, run Yast under the demo version, and use Yast to install a full system to your hard drive. Yast will let you specify a source for the install, which can be your hard drive (or can also be an ftp site!!!). This is the method I have used for years to get around the CD install problem, though I have not yet tried it with 7.3 so YMMV. In fact, SuSE used to recommend this method to people who complained about their no-ISO policy but they have since stopped mentioning it. Also, ther eis now a live-eval version of SuSE 8.0 you may want to get for the most uptodate SuSE.

You may also simply be able to use boot floppies (get them from /pub/suse/i386/7.3/disks, then use rawrite under windows to create the images). Again, once yast starts, you simply change the installation medium to reference your hard drive. But I am not sure if this latter method will work having never tried it.

jsnorman

FYI, look at this link http://sdb.suse.de/sdb/en/html/lmuelle_suselinux_internet.html for instructions on how to install/upgrade via FTP from bootdisks. It is pretty much as I described... create bootdisks, and select FTP installation source.

renegrade

ASKER

where is the demo cd available? i have checked the mirrors...didnt see it there. i'm guessing that you aren't talking about the live-eval...cos i dont really want that...

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

jsnorman

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renegrade

ASKER

Thanks...I appreciate the help :)

jsnorman

No problem. Let me know how it works out. I am waiting for 8.0 personally and then will give it a shot.

renegrade

ASKER

i have one question abt the location of the source for the hard disk install. you are saying all of the source has to be on an ext2 partition initially?? or can i have it in a folder on my windows partition?