[mad-martin]

I'm planning on installing SuSE 8.0 pro shortly, is there anything I should be aware off are there any preparations to be made?
What would be best, to connect the linux pc to the net first, or a windows XP pro pc?

Any help/suggestions appreciated

[pvc9]

I'm planning on installing SuSE 8.0 pro shortly, is there anything I should be aware off are there any preparations to be made?

Ok! First of all if you are a newbie(or even an adv user) to Linux, SuSe Linux is a very good distro.

About 'preparations', there are no special preparations for this. The most important one is allocating the space on the HDD to the OS i.e., disk partitioning. This is the space where most of the users can cause a HDD crash or total data corruption. From my personal experience...(I did it once too and dont want to say what happened exactly... LOL).

The easiest way would be to free a partition and then delete it using the fdisk from DOS. Moreover if you want to install the minimum req then say 2.5-3 GB of space would be more than enough. After deleting that partition start the installation and at the time where the installer would ask you about the disk space use the option Auto Allocate(could be a different title too). So auto allocation of space would be the task to do if you are a newbie. About all this I would suggest you to go through the Installation Manual for best results..

What would be best, to connect the linux pc to the net first, or a windows XP pro pc?

About this, there is nothing as connecting the linux to the net first or Win XP. Nothing like that. You can do with anyone of them.

BTW are you using a cable or a dialup connection? Just curious.

Hope this helps...

[mad-martin]

I'm not really new to it, i do have some experience with FreeBSD and know a little about it, I want to install SuSE just to get more familiar with Linux
About the connection its a dsl 512 connection with an alcatel speedtouch modem.

In my current setup only 1 pc is connected directly to the net, the other uses the 'first' pc as dns server

[pvc9]

Then you know how to install Linux. So np about that.

The internet connection is also good. NP at all

About connecting the computers I guess you can try it anyway. All you would have to do is configuring the DNS settings. Check this link and see if it helps -

ConnectingLinuxToWin

(the link ofcourse has Win 2K in subject's title but I guess its the same for any Win ver.)

Hope this helps...

[mad-martin]

thanks for the info, I think the instalation of linux wouldnt be as much of a problem as installing the usb alcatel modem. I had a look online on some sites, but that can be a pain in the *** (excuse my french)

[pvc9]

Yes, installation of a modem that isnt detected automatically can be a tough one to do correctly.

[mad-martin]

just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best

[pvc9]

Ok!

[lynch]

The only thing I can add to pvc9's good suggestions is this:
I have always found installation and hardware detection goes much easier if you disable Plug n Play in your bios before you begin.Helps recognize some hardware and assigning resources.Mandrake always makes a point of this but other distros dont,AFAIK
Have seen where the Alcatel modem will work in Linux.If you have trouble I'll see if I can find that info.HTH
lynch

[mad-martin]

thanks for the tip lynch

what about networking SuSE with XP, any known problems?