On 2012/04/13 16:15 (GMT-0400) Ted Byers composed:
I had bought a copy of SUSE Linux several years ago, version 10.1, and installed it just a couple weeks ago on an even older PC (with a CD reader, no USB ports and no DVD). It DOES have connection to the internet.
Since this machine is crippled by modern standard, I am wondering if I can use it to visit one of your websites and upgrade the whole system to the latest SUSE Linux live, without having to burn any disks. This machine is just a basic unit, with a slow NIC, basic processor, small drive and CD reader, but I would like to be able to use it to re-familiarize myself with Unix.
If the HD on your old PC isn't truly tiny, there's no reason you can't install more than one version, thus reducing to virtually nil the risk involved from "upgrading". Most of my systems have upwards of 3 installed operating systems even if the HD is as little as 13GB. My openSUSE test / (root) partitions are as small as 4GB, though most are 4.8GB, and I use a separate /home as small as 1.6GB. If you plan to install more than one X desktop environment, I suggest you don't go that small, but 8GB or more should be enough for experimenting with the common DEs like XFCE, LXDE, Gnome and KDE. If you plan to include a development environment or install "everything", then boost available space on / another 50% or more. Installation to any newer, still-supported release is possible by downloading only modest sized files (linux and initrd), and using them to begin an HTTP installation directly off the internet by loading them with the Grub bootloader that came with 10.1. If your CD drive is bootable, you can download a small netboot iso to burn to CD to make HTTP installation a bit easier to get started. Many old motherboards came with USB ports that were never connected to anything. It may pay to open it up and see, so that if you find you need USB you may only need no more than a female case port and cable to connect it to the motherboard. As mentioned upthread, enough RAM is important. Without it, you'll spend a frustrating amount of time waiting. If the motherboard can't support at least 512MB, you probably want to find something else to play with, if not now, then soon. To get you started on partitioning and net installation: http://fm.no-ip.com/PC/partitioningindex.html http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Partitioning http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Network_installation -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org