Need help doing an FTP Install of SUSE 9
 

I recently tried to install SUSE 9 over FTP. I downloaded the boot.iso and burned it to a disk. Popped it in the drive of the computer I am installing it on. I got the welcome screen of SUSE and then it gave me a list of options.

Boot from Harddisk
Installation
Installation - ACPI Disabled
Installation - Safe Settings
Manual Installation
Rescue System
Memory Test

I choose installation and then in the boot options are I entered:
install=ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/

That should get the install files from the FTP server. Right? Well when I did that it told me I was loading the linux kernel and then after that it went straight to a black screen. And that where I am now.. staring at this black screen. What should I do to get the install working?

Thanks in advance!

It would be a little weird, but it might be trying to load the GUI, and failing. The weird part would be that they don't give you an option to test it first. Try using the "safe" option, as that will probably have better video settings. You can always adjust them after the install.

I just installed SuSE recently by FTP and this is what worked for me:

Before you do anything, find the numeric IP address of the FTP server you're going to use. For example, I used ftp.mirror.ac.uk

To find the numeric IP, you can ping the server from a DOS prompt in Windows by typing the following:

ping ftp.mirror.ac.uk -n 1 (substitute whatever server you want)

In this example, you'll get back 212.219.247.12 as the numeric IP.

Write down the address and save it for later.

Boot from the CD. From the first options screen, I press F3 and change to text mode; none of the other resolution options worked for me.

Next, select installation and hit enter. Don't put anything in the text field at the bottom.

Next screen, click OK for CD in drive. (You don't have it, but that's OK).

You should see a main menu next. You'll probably need to get your network card recognized before you can connect, so choose "Select Kernel Modules" (Hardware Drivers), then "Load Network Card Modules", and pick your card (hopefully you know what you've got).

It will find your network card and ask for Settings. I was able to leave this blank and hit Enter.

Back at the Main Menu, select "Start Installation"

Choose "Network Install"
Choose "FTP"
Auto Config via DHCP (this might be different for you, but should work for most on broadband connections).

Now you get to enter that IP address you wrote down. Just the numbers. Nothing else.

You can probably skip HTTP Proxy, and choose the "No Password" option.

Next you'll specify the directory path. This is whatever comes after the FTP server you've chosen. In my case it was:

/sites/ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/9.0/

It should then start downloading the installation routine to a RAM disk. From there it's pretty straightforward.

Good Luck,
Keith

Ok.. i got to text mode it asked me for the CD i said OK... then in text mode it said:

Uncompressing Linux...

ran out of input data


-- System halted


Hmmm what did I do? Remember I only have the boot.iso image.

Thanks for your support!

Not sure. Doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. Could be your boot.iso has some corrupted data, or it might just be that the FTP server was too busy. If you haven't already, you could try other mirrors.

Wish I could give you a definitive answer, but that's the best I got.

Keith

I take it there's not a way to download ISOs of ever CD so I could instal it that way? I looked all over the FTP server but I couldn't find any.

Thanks.

Keith... a little late maybe, but thank you *very* much for that explanation. The IP address question was getting on my nerves to the point of wanting to throw my computer against the wall, so thanks for preventing that.

:)

-zsejk