I'm trying to install opensuse 11.1 to my toshiba laptop and I am wondering if it is possible to install it from my flash drive because my cd drive is broken.I have tried an external cd drive, but I get an odd error message, so I wanted to try using a flash drive instead. I have downloaded and burned linux to a live cd and have access to another computer.

Your error message link is broken..

Welcome to LQ ieatthecookie!

Now, have you tried using Unetbootin?
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

Hmmn i'm not sure theres a way to get OpenSuse onto a laptop, with Ubuntu theres a USB installer which installs a the live cd on a memory stick so you can boot from it.

There is another way. On another machine, install the distro on the laptop drive using an IDE > mini IDE adaptor, then put the hard drive back in the laptop. I've tried this with Ubuntu many times and has worked almost every time, though sometimes you may have to use Super Grub disc to fix Grub. It should work if the desktop only has a dvd drive on one IDE lead and the hdd on the other IDE channel. I've not tried it with SUSE as I've not used it since the whole Microsoft/SUSE deal.

good luck