In general, I always recommend a clean installation.
Both, update and clean install are run the same way: download and burn the min-installation.iso or boot.iso from your favourite (fast!) mirror. (
http://www.novell.com/products/linux...t_mirrors.html )
Now boot from this CD and start the installation by pointing to the installation source:
linux26 install=ftp://ftp_server/directory
During the setup process, you will be asked if you prefer an update or clean installation.
ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/linux/suse/ftp.sus...9.3/README.FTP