Thinkpads Forum

I am about to embark on the journey to put Linux of my T40 (and eventually wean comp-letely away form windows)

I am probably the millionth person to ask this... but...


1. I only have a CD burner, so i will be doing a network install... are there any disadvanteges to that (should i go to a freinds house and bug him/her to burn me the DVD?)

2. I am on a laptop with only a 40 (well, it's an IBM Thinkpad with a security partition, so 34.3)GB HDD. I am using 20GB with XP Pro (which i don't want to give up just yet). Is 5GB suitable for a full install of 9.2? If not, what is the practicle minimum?

3. Do i need to beforehand install a dual boot system? or will the standard SuSE setup put one on itself?

4. Will i have to format the drive before i start the FTP install? or will it have the option to format built into the installer?

5. What is the chance of losing my windows data (or partition) during the installation? I don't want to be totally dependant yet...

6. Anything Else i should know about before i begin?

Thanks for your time!

-Ben

I can answer some of this, not all, because I installed on an empty HDD:

1. It's slow, but otherwise no problem; you'll need a wired internet connection. See my earlier post on installing for a link to the explanation you need.

2. 5GB should be enough, but 6 will give you more breathing space.

3. Can't say.

4. Installer will format during install.

5. Probably fairly small if you're careful.

6. Suse 9.3 is due in mid-April. Unless you're desperate, perhaps it's worth waiting for it?

1. Your choice

2. 5 gig will be fine for a trial install. there will be plenty of room for now but eventually you will need more.

3. Suse should offer to install a boot manager for you.

4.The installer will take care of formatting the partitions for you and will make some suggestions on each partition size. (swap, etc)

5. Any time you play with the partition table there is a chance of trashing everything although it has only happened to me a couple of times out of countless partition changes. But IT CAN HAPPEN. If unsure backup before attempting to install.

6.When installing linux it is best to know exactly what hardware/ version/ firmware/ detail of every component in your computer just in case it asks in the middle of the install. Sometimes a small difference in a firmware revision can mean the difference between a working install and a non-working install.

After all this warning I can tell you that usually a linux install is pretty unevenful and it just falls on and runs but there is always that chance.........

If Suse seems too daunting to you try this: http://www.xandros.com/products/home/de ... nload.html it is a little easier to install and administer and it fits on a CD too.

Enjoy your virus free computing.