my suse9.3pro server needed an update, and because there were other settings not ok, i decided to do a full re-install..
the previous probs were not related to my q..

after re-install and initial setup - where the sys detected the nic and router alright - i could setup the local network and also connect both ways (win-lin and vise versa)..

after the usual personal modifications were done - and after a few restarts - i suddenly cannot do an online update via yast - just hangs there - until i kill the window..

i can browse the inet ok..from the lin box concerned..
also connect from win boxes to the lin box via samba..
but not from lin to the win boxes..
also ping both ways is ok..
no firewalls..

when trying to open SMB Shares a window pops up and tells me

and then ofcourse the other snag - yast update is freezing - could these two probs be related..?
i have actually done 3 complete re-format and installs - but the sys always replicates to the exact same prob..

any ideas..

What personal modifications do you do, please specific?

after initial boot i modify:
- desktop - simply changing background-image etc.
- panel - make smaller, de-select popups etc..making transparent..
- konqueror - no underline, change look of browser window to my own taste..
- from control panel i setup samba as domain controller - with full access for intranet.with password..
- in yast - also setup samba as domain controller - to start at bootup..
that's actually it..

my main focus on the prob is actually during installation:
- during the setup selection - 64 bit - i select absolutely everything - and then de-selects 4 laptop
(thinkpad) items in the laptop group - and also i de-select numerous foreign/asian language files in the font group..
- when i reach the ethernet config - i enter static addresses on my box, ns and router..
- tests the inet connection - which works promptly..
- being asked if i want to download updates - i select ok.. and this is where i think the upcoming prob starts..!

after install the box is not doing a complete re-boot - as far as i have noticed it goes directly to the login prompt..and it does not look like it has been through the whole sequence - this i think is the normal automatic sequence after install..?

then i do the above mentioned modifications - nothing like scripts or other system tweaking - it's all done from yast and control panel..

at this point i can also do another install & remove or online update - if so desired..

BUT - here is my token of what could be the culprit:
1. after a full re-start and re-boot - coming back onto the desktop - i try to click the samba icon in konqueror - and up pops the 'something wrong' window - and i'm unable to connect to my network ( i can browse the lin box fine from the rest of the network )
2. next i try the online update - initiates and the little window with 'checking for updates' - fadesout - and then one would see the selection window - but no - just hangs - until i kill..
3. i try to do install & remove software - same prob as with online update - initiates - checking for packages - and the hangs there - until i kill
4. if i select a restart - in a vain attempt to try and let the system pick up some missing files etc. - it only plays the logoff tune - initiates the shut down until a login prompt appears..?!
the scrolling text shows a lot of setting up and starting items - no shutting down items..?!
so - i have to do a cold reset in order to restart..
but after a restart -back in the kde - same 4 probs appears..
i can't even delete packages and re-install packages in order to force another setup..

my thought is that the online update may have a faulty package(s) - which produces these4 culprits - but how they are interrelated i wouldn't know..

when i did the exact same installation- earlier this year - from a purchased package from novell - the install went absolutely fine - none of this prob whatsoever..

but after doing a clean re-format and install 1st one some days ago - this prob started.. everytime.. i have now done at least 10 new installs over the last 4 days..pheewww - both 64 and 32 bit - and both from my dvd and also from ftp..
prob comes up all the time..

i have no local firewall on the boxes - only the one in the router..

and everything else works fine - inet browsing, email etc. - and browsing to the lin box from the rest of the network..

update on no update:

right - now i did anooooother full install..
and - i can now use samba w/o probs..

but still completely unable to either install & remove software or online update..
this annoys me - because i would like to try and uninstall yast2 and then reinstall it - to see if that solves the prob..
so i'm stuck - can't do anything - from yast that is - i'm not profficient in command line..

also the shutdown prob still exists.. very quickly it initiates and ends up with command prompt for another login..?
i try that - as root - have to enter startx - and then i'm back into the desktop..
when selecting another shutdown/reboot - i'm presented with only 'end current session' - do that - some errors are reported..which i don't understand..and hanging - waiting for shutdown being initiated - but no..

cold restart..

does anyone have any ideas..? and if system output is needed - i'll supply that..
for now i don't have a clue of which data to present to you guys..

fyi
i have done yet more clean installs with 9.3 - but with no change in the probs..

so - what was my alternative..?
i was thinking of either going back to 9.2 or i could try the new 10.0 beta - hmmmm..
being a normal curious, progressive human being i went for the last option - so what i've done now is:
- downloaded the 5 cd iso's of 10.0 boston 64bit
- burned them with sonic recordnow in win xp - oouuppsss..
- in they went - into the not so successfull 9.3 machine's dvd drive..
- and after a smooth ride through all 5 cd's i,ve now got a very functional 10.0 boston

of course i'm expecting some glitches due to being a beta - but so far all my usual programs are working - and i can check for new beta updates at will..
also i can use the add and remove software function..

so this just to let you know that until further my troubles with the 9.3 is over..
but i will say that despite the probs i had with 9.3 - i still strongly believe that suse is an excellent distro..!