Suse 9.2 FTP Install
 

I realize there are instructions on the Suse download site but Im wondering if there is anything I should keep in mind or if anyone has had this experience.

I do have a version of Suse (9.1) running on the box although its so borked its easier to upgrade than fix it. KDE doesnt come up and I can only log in with text mode. What I would like to do is upgrade to 9.2 using the FTP.

1) do i have to burn an ISO to do this or will that install=ftp command work from my command line?
2) What should I expect on this install? I mean do the regular screens show or is this completely different? regular options to partition etc?

Although this guide was written for v9.1 I believe it would be usable under v9.2, and would recommend it. Basically Yes, you do need to download the small ISO boot image, but once you kick off the process it's not that much different than installing from the CD's. The critical task with an FTP installation (at least it was for me) was to simply be sure that the necessary kernel modules were pre-loaded before I began. What I mean by this is that after the system boots, you have an opportunity to pre-load certain modules that your system may need, such as the module your NIC uses. That NIC module was the key; once I manually loaded it, the rest of the process was pretty simple. Note that an FTP install requires the transfer of a couple of G's of data, and therefore it would only be practical if you've got a high speed connection. Good luck with it -- J.W.

But do those directions work for upgrading? Meaning, I want to keep all my 9.1 pro stuff that isn't upgraded in 9.2. It sounds like a clean install.

Since 9.3 is out 9.2 probably is fixed really well now.

I tried the ftp install of 9.2 this last weekend twice, both times it got about half way through and then hung there like a dried grape. I waited a couple hours hoping it would do something but no luck. Anyone else had this experience? its annoying because your already into the install two + hours.

Oh, by the way, the directions work fine for an install, but i wouldnt try them for an upgrade. Just make sure everything in your /home directory is in a different partition and dont format that partition on the install, mount it as /home.