problem updating softwares

[mhismail]

I've been prompted on screen that there are some software updates are available. However, I meet a problem as the process of updating hangs. I went the YAST way – just trying and followed the menu that comes with each dialog window. When I clicked on the “apply” button I could see some action being done. When that was through, however, the item marked checked in the box to the left was still there, still with the check mark! I dont know what has happened. Can anybody explain please. Thanks.

[hans51]

if you YOU problem still exists
try the zypper method, usually that is easier

zypper up

will refresh your repositories AND check for available updates, then follow / answer the questions

[mhismail]

Hans thanks for your response.
Pardon me Hans for my naivity with IT lingo. I am going to ask you what sounds like a very funny question!! But believe me...I am groping in the dark.....with all this lingo. What is zypper method in the first place? and Where do I go to get the zypper? I really hope you bear with me on this. Its been wonderful to have you sharing your knowledge with me here. I dont know how is it in your locations. But in Kuala Lumpur when I talked to people about LINUX OS, and they are NOT from IT background, their immediate response is, its not easy to use LINUX, if you do not have knowledge of software engineering. In cases like what I am going through, I cant help believing to a certain extent, their perception about migrating to LINUX is true. Hoping our communications here will strengthen my belief, what they feel is just a perception, and perhaps I may be able to help them in the future. Thanks to you Hans.

[hans51]

zypper

is just another package manager available in openSuSE
zypper up
is the update
in default openSuSE installs it is installed by default

sometimes it appears easier than YAST method

when doing your updates, make sure you are on a fast line
sometimes updates (if kernel is included) may be 100MB or more make sure an online update session is never interrupted.

those who complain about Linux being complicated
most likely they never had to make a hand install of ANY windows version from win95 to win7

most buy all preinstalled
linux also is available preinstalled
newbies always should opt a good dist and a recommended default package selection as we have it in openSuSE then all works fine out of the box.
learn in small steps
use linux as a tool never as a content for life
there is real life beyond a computer

[mrdue42]

ok, I can see what is your question....

the simple way to update is
- login as root
- start yast
- find software (normally this is the default starting point of yast, anyway)
- find "online update"
- say ok
- magically your system gets updated, by a invisible tool called "zypper"

the long way is as follows:
zypper is the software that makes correctly updating possible.
it is a commandline tool.
so you have to click on the launch button ( the green one in the lefthand bottom corner, normally) a
then you get the popup, and you type in the top search bar "konsole"
without quotes, please.
you then see a icon of a terminal window, and that is what you click.
this gives you a terminal, then you make sure you are root
by typing "su", giving password of root.
once you are root, you type
"zypper up"

and zypper will update your system with all necessary updates. nothing more, nothing less.

normally, zypper is started from the suse updater, and you dont have to do all of this.

good luck

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