Feature changed by: E. Mangini (C0ff33) Feature #312233, revision 8 Title: New Install Method openSUSE Distribution: Unconfirmed Priority Requester: Desirable Requested by: E. Mangini (c0ff33) Partner organization: openSUSE.org Description: Ability to install from a running system. With the 11.4 release, I was reminded again how stupid it is to require a shutdow to boot to cd/usb to watch files being copied unable to use my system. We should be able to start the install from a running system. This install should copy all needed files to specified partition(s), perform normal setup tasks, and add an entry to grub. Then -when I'm ready to reboot- I select the new install, which would do a first-boot completing whatever tasks could not be performed during the initial install. In addition to the obvious "I get to use my system" benefit, there are others. No more buring to cd or usb, just download and run an install file or , for example, openSuse 12.1 could be an option in yast. The install could be smarter, checking for and installing "favorite" apps (and their settings) or preventing the install of "taboo" apps are two simple examples. Discussion: #1: Michal Papis (mpapis) (2011-04-16 23:26:48) I had installed gentoo from openSuSE this way, why it is not possible to install openSuSE itself this way ? #2: E. Mangini (c0ff33) (2011-04-18 17:57:24) (reply to #1) Just to be clear, I'm not talking about installing into a virtual machine. I use Virtualbox but it's not the same as installing to actual hardware. So, unless I've missed something, which is completely possible, please explain your Gentoo install. #3: Joseph Mitzen (duncreg) (2011-04-18 23:47:02) Do I understand that the whole point is that you want to be using install A while creating a new install B? How often does one install multiple copies on the same machine to make this useful? There already exists a live CD to let you work while installing as well. In addition, you can upgrade to a new version via zypper without burning anything. The DVD also gives you wide control over what is installed and what isn't. If the system needs to reboot during install or update then it's pointless starting the install from a running system. Existing programs, desktop search programs, etc. could start accessing the new partition while it's still being installed. Partitioning would be highly problematic as partitions will already be mounted - if you're installing to the same drive, you can't just unmount all of your partitions to repartition the drive. There seems to be a whole host of (dangerous) problems with this idea and little perceived benefit over a regular install or live CD install and a very limited appeal - people installing multiple copies of the OS to one system for whom the 20-some minutes or a live CD aren't enough. + #4: E. Mangini (c0ff33) (2011-04-19 05:11:43) (reply to #3) + First, the goal isn't to "install multiple copies on the same machine", + it's to treat an os install just like any other software. You wouldn't + tolerate a required reboot to install say firefox. It would be nice if + the os install could be as simple. As to zypper, an upgrade isn't a + clean install and also isn't always wise/possible (11.2 to 11.4) and + could take even longer (11.2 to 11.3 to 11.4). Yes, the DVD does give + me "wide control over what is installed". The point is to make the + install smarter so the user doesn't have to wade through menus and + manually de/select. Which, btw, could be a feature of the current + install method. As to the reboot, I assume it's required since we've + collectively rebooted a few billion times. The goal is to delay that + until i'm ready to shutdown and choose the new os for testing. And + while were on the boot/shutdown topic, it's not always a single system + going down. I have a number of virtual machines running and they also + must shut down. So it's not "20-some minutes" even when the install + goes well, which they frequently don't (tried, ubuntu 11.04 beta yet? + good luck.). And when the current install method fails, unless you have + another system handy you're done. It's reboot into existing system, + search for solution, reboot into install dvd, try install again, oops + failed again, lather-rinse-repeat. Partitioning is not "problematic" + and you don't have to unmount anything. You create and mount a + partition, as you can do right now, and tell the new installer to go + stick openSuse 12.1 over there. Simple, and exactly as dangerous as any + other install. Finally, I am surprised it does appear to zero appeal. + Not a problem, we toss some stuff out there and we see what sticks. + Thanks for the feedback. -- openSUSE Feature: https://features.opensuse.org/312233