SUSE 10.2 install nightmare - pls help
 

Hi

Just to set the status quo for the machine I am using

1. Was running SUSE 10.0
2. Am able to re-install SUSE 10.0 from CD
3. Have never had any issues with my display setting

So, I thought I would do a backup of my files and a fresh install of SUSE 10.2 - big mistake!

First problem is that it would not boot form the CD. I then downloaded the floppy image and use that to start up the CD. That at least gets the installation started

Second problem is when the installer has a look at my machine and decides that it is unable to run the graphic install and gives me text based YAST instead.

Third problem - The install runs through the packages on CD1 and then decides to reboot. It then gets to a point where it seems to try and start the graphical installer so as to continue where it left off before the re-boot but then changes it mind and gives me a gray screen with the SUSE chameleon and a console window in the bottom left saying the eth0 is not configured.

I am now re-installing SUSE 10.0 which works first time from CD and graphical install. I will then try the upgrade path instead.

Any help and guidance on why this would be happening with SUSE 10.2?

Did you download the CD set for SuSE 10.2? If so, did you verify that the images were good by verifying them against the MD5SUM? That would be one of the first items to check in this case. Also, if you could attempt to boot the first CD in another machine, this may give an indication of what is happening.

suse 10.2 install
 

The suse installer brings up a window where you check each CD (or DVD) installation media BEFORE beginning your install. If anything is broken, you should re-burn or even redownload and reburn your media. On my Dell inspiron, I made the mistake of not opting to install the non OSS add-on disc. I discovered that this contained the drivers for my wireless card and I had to re-install suse 10.0, download the add-ons and re-install suse 10.2.
I also found that choosing my graphics card and screen resolution during the install, gave me a black screen and I found no way to kill the server and get back to the install options.

After a lot of messing around - yep - I re-installed suse 10.2.

This time around, I left the default graphics card and resolution until the install and re-boot was complete and then used yast to re-set the display settings. This time I was given a test screen which automatically cancels in case of a corrupted screen.

The rest of the install was fine.

I downloaded the CD's and have tested CD1 on my WinXP machine and during the initial part of the 10.2 install. The workaround for me has been to re-install 10.0 and upgrade to 10.2 which also indicated that the CD's are a-OK.

Just a comment about the graphics card problem - I was never given the option to choose a graphics card and screen resolution during the install. The install script took it upon itself to decide that my system could not handle the graphical install (which worked fine with the 10.0 install and subsequent upgrade to 10.2) - go figure.