SUSE Linux 10 install from CD problem
 

With the box containing SUSE Linux 10 which I bought at a Best Buy store there were six disks. I have installed the five disks containing what appears to be the whole operating system.

The sixth disk is labeled DVD installation 32 bit and 64 bit Double layer DVD. I have two questions:

Does anyone know just what this disk is for?

Does anyone know just how I can install this disk into my computer?

The DVD disk contains the same thing as all 5 CDs. If you have a bootable DVD then you could install from the DVD instead of the CDs.

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Steve Stites

Actually the 5 CDs contain only the 32-bit version of SUSE 10.0. They are geared towards people who have only a CD drive in their computer. The DVD is for everyone else. It contains both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of SUSE. As I recall, it also includes a number of additional packages.

Thank You Very Much Jailbait and Cogar,

It took longer to do an online update of Suse Linux 10 than it did to install the operating system. The manual that came with my disks is very confusing without an interpreter.

I am glad you got things sorted out. :) At least the retail version has a manual. ;)

Hi Cogar,

The enclosed manual is as confusing as the operating system to someone like me who has never used Linux or Unix. One thing I have learned already about Suse Linux 10; do not go into Yast and change your instalation settings because the program will treat you like a criminal. I am happier with the Gnome desktop than I was with KDE.

To use an analogy: Microsoft's XP is like riding a scooter down the sidewalk; but, to me, using Suse's KDE is like trying to maneuver a spaceship down that very same sidewalk.

I once heard it said that if you knew nothing about Windows, learning Linux would be easier. That may be more right than wrong. I do know that there is a substantial "transition period," so I congratulate you on sticking it out.

Regarding YaST, I believe it is a very useful tool, although it takes a little time to learn. The advantage of using it is that you are very unlikely to damage your system, since it will only let you do things that it knows are OK. (There are exceptions, like choosing a wrong driver, but anyone who sets up computers knows that they have to assume some responsibility.)

As a guess regarding the "treated like a criminal," I am guessing that you are referring to its asking you for the root password. (YaST is more of a SUSE thing than a GNOME/KDE thing.) If so, that is actually good for several reasons.

1. If someone else uses your computer, they cannot mess it up by accident.
2. Someone else, or a virus, trojan, etc. cannot install unauthorized programs on your computer, since this layer of protection is something that is not easy to overcome.
3. It lets you know that you are about to implement changes that could possibly affect how well your computer runs.

Let me add that once you set it up, chances are you will not use YaST that often. Perhaps for updates and that is about it. Most people end up using less than 10 programs regularly, and once they are installed and the computer is running correctly, there is little administrative work left to do. :)

Hi Cogar,

If I had not experienced the many pitfalls of using Microsoft on the Internet; I would not have any appreciation of Linux. If I had not bought a book with a Suse Linux 9.3 disk in it; I would probably still be leery of using another operating system other than Windows.

If it were not for this forum I would be lost, lost, lost.
Novell wants money for support. If you want to buy something they will talk to you on the phone; otherwise you are on your own.

It is Extremely humbling to be here begging for help! I truly am very appreciative of the fact that there are so many kind and generous folks here willing to help others.

I have to also accept the fact that my general ignorance of computing and Linux is of great amusement to some people.

Linux is not easy, especially for us up in years.

I can peacefully hope that the Linux " community " will eventually someday occupy the place it deserves in society.

Hi cousinlucky, you are right about the support of an online community. When I started building my own computers a few years ago (2001), I had little to go by other than an article over at Tom's Hardware that I adapted to my personal situation and a couple forums where I could get advice. Things have now changed, and working with a computer I have not built is an annoyance. (They use cheap components, assemble the computer in the sleaziest way possible, etc.) Although the initial learning curve was steep, I am now on a plateau (sort of) and enjoy working at a much more rewarding and comfortable level. I am hoping that Linux will end up being a similar experience (I am still learning myself).

Let me add a comment regarding support. Although they offer support, Microsoft and other big players are not that great (you may be talking with someone who is in India and knows nothing), it costs every time you call, and you have to wait on the phone for interminably long times. At least they are very polite. (I have never encountered a rude Microsoft employee. Just a few dumb ones--or maybe newbies.) I suspect that the support offered by Novell cannot be much worse.

Hi Cogar,

I had to beg at Novell for different phone numbers to call. It took me a few days to finally get the guy in " India " who was not really supposed to help me because I did not have a " Contact ID " number. [ this is the number Novell gives to you after you have paid for a support contract or you have signed up for the hourly rate telephone support ] If i told you what it costs you would say I was lying or completely out of my mind.

I had an activation code and a validation code and a desperate voice so the guy took pity on me and gave me a German website to go to ( http://cdb.novell.com ) where I could do an Express Search for a modem.

As it happened this website and one of LQ kind posters ( the name escapes me right now ) both advised me to get a U.S.Robotics 5686 external modem which proved to be compatible with my Linux 10 OS.

The clerks working in computer stores know less about Linux than I do. HP was insulted that I called them about any other OS than Windows.

Wouldn't it be just great if someone took over a computer company and built quality computers with a user friendly Linux OS already installed??

I can dream all I want to and it does not hurt a soul!!

Disappointed in Novell Suse support
 

I too actually purchased the SUSE 10 Discs recently as they were on sale at Fry's for $45. I figured it was worth it to have a good DVD, book, and for the phone support. Ha! turns out the phone support is limited to 9-3 m-f PST. We all know the time you need it is at 10:30pm after you have given up on everything! Save your money. A forum like this is more useful than their phone service.

I haven't looked at Linux for more than 2 years since Red Hat rolled out I think it was v.10. I am having a great deal of difficulty in getting my sound card and graphics card to perform.

I am very sorry Issudras, but I am unable to help you with those issues.
I suggest you begin a new thread indicating exactly what your problems are.
I am almost possitive someone will be able to help you.

I first installed the KDE desktop but it was Way Too Much for me to grasp. I had my hard drive reformated with a bare bones Windows XP partitioned in my " C " drive and when I reinstalled Suse Linux 10 I used the Gnome desktop.

I use Linux for the Internet and have not explored its other applications.
Just openning " Open Office " put me in shock.
Way, Way Too Much for me.