how do I kickstart the install process?

[kevin_maher]

Hi everyone

I've got a pc which has these specs: 6 gig hdd, 500MHz processor, 384 megs of RAM, CD drive, floppy drive, and intend to pur Suse 8.2 on it because it's about the same vintage as the hardware, and I liked Suse 8 when using it a few years ago. I've downloaded all the files I need (3.2 GB in total), and will copy them across to that machine so I can install it.

My question is: how do I kickstart the installation process with those files? I know how to install OSes, having done so many times with Win98, and a few different varieties of Linux (all from bootable cds), but now I want to know how to "light the fire" - how do I get those install files to roar into life just like they would if I had them on say a bootable DVD? Do I get hold of a bootable linux floppy (if so, where from?), then tell it the path to the startup files (if so, what files should I be looking for?) ?

Regards

Kevin

[D-cat]

Bootable CD-ROM would be the better road.

I'd suggest using SuSE 10 instead, since it still has some support, is more modern, and runs fine on a computer with that spec (almost identical to my daughter's computer running 10.2)

Otherwise, yes, you can set up a floppy boot CD to kick a network or non-boot CD linux install. Usually, the image comes with the CD including a rawrite program and instructions. I haven't tried on SuSE 8 though, so I don't know for certain just how to instruct you this way. On a Suse 10 cd, the instructions are located in the /boot/i386/readme file.

[whych]

Leave 8.2 and rather d'load the live cd and see if it runs. If it does, install the latest version.
Unless you are an experienced linux user, you will have to manually upgrade to newer apps because 8.2 is no longer supported.
If you are intent in installing 8.2, you will need a boot floppy and need to choose a local disk install (from memory).
Rather get more RAM and use a later version.

[kevin_maher]

Thanks, I'll try 10.2 on it and see how it goes.

Cheers

Kevin