On Sat 17 Jul 2010 23:56:48 NZST +1200, Kevin and Litesha Maher wrote: > If I have all the files for a distro, how do I install that distro if the > files are on a partition, and not a bootable CD? > > To explain the situation... way back in 2002 I was running SuSE 8.2 that a > mate of mine had bought, and quite liked it. I've managed to find it online > and downloaded it (3.2 GB worth), and would like to install it on my > computer for old time's sake but don't know how to install it with just the > files. I've installed a few versions of Linux enough times to know what > options to choose, how to partition the drive, etc, but that's always been > from an iso file burnt onto a CD.
You'll probably save yourself some time if you just copy the ISO instead. You can take a copy of my disks (1 DVD or 5 CDs), and you can have a copy of the updates too. Your next option is to boot the network install ISO, aaand point the installer at your copy of the installation files. There were always multiple options for where the installation files could be located, CD/DVD was obviously one of them, but ISO file on local disk, http, ftp, and directory on local disk all exist. I don't remember whether SuSE 8.2 offered all of them, and which of those offered actually worked. You will need a copy of the net install ISO (prob about 40-50MB) and burn that to a CD. You can probably use any one of approximately the same age, like 8.1 or 9.0, but don't quote me on that. It is esssential that your copy of the installation files has the same directory layout as their installation CD/DVD has. Before you copy all 5 CDs on top of each other I suggest you start with the first only, then install missing packages once your system is up and running. In theory you should be able to install a system from the files you have, but you may have to work out exactly how the installer works and then assemble an environment in which that will start up and continue. Or maybe the easiest would be to create a bootable CD/DVD from the files you have, i.e. massage them back into an ISO. You'll need to work out the correct opttions for mkisofs to do that, but assuming you have a complete and accurate copy of all the files, this method will work. > to know how do I "turn the key in the ignition" so to speak? I'm familiar > with Windows (apologies if that word offends anyone) so is there some > equivalent of setup.exe? I am not sure that you can install doze by running a setup.exe which happens to be on a CD. What do you have already running at the time you start setup? Nothing? No doulbe clicking then. A full doze? WHy install it again then? It doesn't make sense in doze or linux. Volker -- Volker Kuhlmann http://volker.dnsalias.net/ Please do not CC list postings to me.
