i downloaded the evaluation of suse 9.2 pro the dvd image and today when i burned it it had three errors and would not install, can anyone tell me how i can instal from ftp suse 9.2 pro from the novell site? i know i need the mini install image, but what are the ftp addresses i need to input and a simple run down would be nice, thanks!

Use the IP of any of the mirror sites. Make sure you explore the mirror manually first so that you know exactly what directory to put in!

For example, I normally use mirror.mcs.anl.gov since it's close. In that case, it's:

140.221.9.138

/pub/suse/i386/9.2

...but without the initial slash, as far as I remember:

pub/suse/i386/9.2

now that i have it installed i have 2 questions, how can i tell that the ftp install installed the 64 bit version? will it have done this automatically? secondly my sound wont work i have a realtek ac97 via chipset? it seems to autodetect it but it just will not work? please help?

Ooops, sorry. The link I gave is for the standard 32-bit version. Didn't know you were looking for 64-bit... Well, peruse the directory 2 levels up from the link I gave you and see if you can find an appropriate version

i think it might have installed 64-bit anyway, not sure how to check but when i download anything through yast is all has the extension x86_64? and if that 9.2 directory is the same as a downloaded iso image then it pre-determines which version to install before it starts, its very quick anyway so thats my guess. one thing i wanted to ask is that i installed firefox through yast and it worked the first time.

Now when i try to open it it seems to load as the mouse pointer has a bouncing firefox logo then nothing as if it failed?

Well, perhaps the 64-bit version is in the same directory. Sounds like Yast is picking up the right updates! I've only ever installed the 32-bit Iapx and 64-bit SPARC (back in the 7.x days) versions...

Hmm, actually, the 64bit version is in the x86_64 instead of i383 folder...

well ill leave it a bit i think as i cant be bothered to reinstall it again at the moment, if it is the 32bit version though ill upgrade/ reinstall eventually, dont think i can tell though can i?

to easily determine what architecture you are running open a terminal and type

this should output all sorts of info about your distro, for me it says

Linux linux 2.6.8-24.11-default #1 Fri Jan 14 13:01:26 UTC 2005 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

you can see near the end all that x86_64 junk means im running the 64 bit kernel, if your says i586 or something else then your not.

I guess the 32bit version will be fine on your system. As far as I have heard, the 64bit version has only minor advantages. Many driver are not available as 64bit, so for compatibility reasons, the 32bit is the better choice.

If you would like to update to 64bit, you may change the folder in your installation sources to x86_64 and run a system update. I am not sure if this works, but it is worth a try.

ok cool, well i have a amd 64 3000+, 512mb ram and sata 160gb hard drive so it runs very fast anyway no immediate need to update, and if the problems are still apparant as a newb ill stick with the 32bit till its all sorted and everyone catches up i spose