Updating SLE10 with Yast2

[bdg146]

Ok, I feel a bit foolish even asking this question. This is my first time having a system with linux at home so it's my first time dealing with all the issues that can arise with linux.

I'm trying to update my suse linux enterprise 10. I've used Fedora at work and things are pretty simple... there is a utility on the taskbar that shows when updates are available. Even after enabling automatic updates, no such utility appears.

I've tried updating by going into Yast2 and clicking on the online update icon. It brings up a window with 3 patches (one of which is for the online updater). However, it's not very intuitive as to how I actually INSTALL those packages. If I click accept, nothing happens. I know there has to be more updates available, as I've had the laptop for about 8 months. I still have Firefox 2 on the system. I tried installing Firefox 3 from the command line, but I got an error about needing a newer version of GTK+. So it goes back to the system not updating.

What's going on here? How do I search for and install updates for my system?

Again, I feel like this should be so simple and there's something basic I'm missing, but I can't figure it out. Thanks!

[gogalthorp]

10.0 is getting a bit old and the updater never did work well with it you do need to install the patches. To install YAST-Software-Software Management, Change to Installation Summery in drop down at top left. Uncheck all but update. Check the box next to the packages right click to see all the options. Then press accept.

1) I'd recommend you get a newer version current is 11.0 and 11.1 is about to release updater is much better. Even if Novell still supports it all the community repositories have dropped it so it will be difficult to get things like Audio and Video codecs and programs not directly supported by Novell.
openSUSE.org

2) I never liked the updater so I use smart but am not sure if available for 11.0 +

[whych]

gogalthorp
suse linux enterprise server 10 is the the latest version - I agree it's getting old but the server works fine. (You are confusing it with OpenSuse)

bdg146
Once you have checked the boxes for the updates, click the OK or Install. It then connects to the update server and will install the updates.
If you have auto update enabled, there will be an icon in the bottom right of the taskbar which will change when updates are available. Clicking it brings up the update menu and you once again check boxes the updates you want.
Hope this helps.

[gogalthorp]

No, the problem is not with Novell support it is with community support for extras that someone might want to add to a desktop. Generally servers are static once set up they don't change much. You usually don't want fancy graphics and games or skype etc. But on a Desktop you might and usually do.

[whych]

I agree - upgrading anything on sled10 is a problem and novell support docs are a nightmare to find anything. But then again for business use, it works fine where you don't need the newest apps.
That's why I use opensuse for desktop.

[bdg146]

I think the 3 patches that come up when I run the online update tool are already installed, which is why it isn't giving me an option to install them (it's hard to distinguish between the dark blue and black check marks.

So, since purchasing the laptop, there have been no updates at all?? I find that hard to believe. Turning on auto-update hasn't yielded any tray icon either.

The machine I'm talking about is a Lenovo Thinkpad that I purchased preinstalled with SuSE Enterprise 10. So it sounds like a more practical solution is to install a different distribution, like opensuse or fedora. The only thing that concerns me is that this would be my first time installing a linux OS from scratch. Is it going to be difficult to get things like the wireless internet card to work? I don't want to trade an un-updated laptop for one that I can't even connect to the network on.

Can you dual boot with two different linux distros? I'm assuming so... I guess I could give it a shot and if it doesn't work then just go back to using the SLE10.

[whych]

I think the 3 patches that come up when I run the online update tool are already installed, which is why it isn't giving me an option to install them (it's hard to distinguish between the dark blue and black check marks.

So, since purchasing the laptop, there have been no updates at all?? I find that hard to believe. Turning on auto-update hasn't yielded any tray icon either.

I take it that you have registered with the online update service? I think it's in yast|software|cust service - if you aren't registered, or your subscription has expired, you won't get the updates.
I looked at SLED10 and decided that opensuse or even ubuntu was better for general use because updating software on sled is a nightmare. It's fine for a business that doesn't need more than emails and normal office software.

The machine I'm talking about is a Lenovo Thinkpad that I purchased preinstalled with SuSE Enterprise 10. So it sounds like a more practical solution is to install a different distribution, like opensuse or fedora. The only thing that concerns me is that this would be my first time installing a linux OS from scratch. Is it going to be difficult to get things like the wireless internet card to work? I don't want to trade an un-updated laptop for one that I can't even connect to the network on.

Wait for Monday and get opensuse 11.1 - the network install disk works well if you have a decent internet connection and will save some unnecessary download. If you want a smaller download to play with, you can try ubuntu. It will boot live and give you the option of installing.
Before you wipe sled, make a note of the wireless card settings so you can set it up again.

Can you dual boot with two different linux distros? I'm assuming so... I guess I could give it a shot and if it doesn't work then just go back to using the SLE10.

You can but I would suggest partitioning with a /boot (say 2G) and a /home(most of disk) partition which you use for all the distros. That way your home files are accessible from all of them.
You then use separate root partitions of around 15-20G for each distro.
If you use opensuse, you will need to set up the community repositories and do a bit of reading to get dvd burning fixed. If you have a problem, ask and I'll give you the links.