Installation Without setup.exe

Support knowledgebase (personal_inst)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Version 8.0

Preliminary remark: This article is mainly aimed at users of SuSE Linux 8.0 Personal with no experience whatsoever in the installation of Linux.

Symptom

In the 'Basics' manual, page 16, it says that the installation of SuSE Linux starts after having inserted the CD1 or DVD. This is not the case.

Or:

You want to install SuSE Linux 8.0 Personal by way of the program setup.exe. However, you cannot find this program.

Cause

Due to some problems impossible to foresee, the program setup.exe had to be withdrawn from SuSE Linux after the manual 'Basics' went to press.

Solution

SuSE Linux is an independent operating system and it cannot be started from Windows without the assistance of some specific programs. You have to boot it directly from the CD.

(The following text has been mostly taken from the 'Reference' manual.)

If your machine does not boot from the CD-ROM, change the settings in the computer's BIOS. At initial start-up, a diagnosis of the computer's hardware is conducted and, among other things, the random access memory is tested. Recognize this by the system memory count. At the bottom of the screen, the key that calls up the BIOS setup is listed - usually "Del" or "F1". Press the key specified to access the BIOS setup.

If your machine is equipped with an AWARD BIOS, the relevant entry is labeled BIOS FEATURE SETUP. Other manufacturers use similar entries, such as ADVANCED CMOS SETUP. Select the corresponding entry and confirm with ENTER. Relevant for your purposes is the subitem normally listed as 'Boot Sequence'. The default setting for this is usually C, A or A, C. In the first example, when booting, the machine searches for boot information on the C drive, then on the A drive. Select `Boot Sequence' and then press the keys "PageUp" and "PageDown" until the A, CDROM, C sequence is shown.

If your machine is equipped with a PHOENIX-BIOS, the boot sequence is determined through the 'Boot Device'. You can define the '1st Boot Device', '2nd Boot Device', and '3rd Boot Device'. Possible settings are (use the "PageUp" and "PageDown" keys as for the AWARD BIOS): IDE-0, IDE-1, IDE-2, IDE-3, Floppy, LS/ZIP A:, ATAPI ZIP C:, CDROM, NETWORK, Disable. Select CDROM for the '1st Boot Device' and, to be on the safe side, IDE-0 or Floppy for the '2nd Boot Device'.

To quit the settings, hit the "Esc" key. To save the changes, select `SAVE & EXIT SETUP' or press "F10" (you will be asked if you want to quit the BIOS SETUP and save the new settings).

Note 1: Computers without an operating system usually have a US keyboard layout.

Note 2: If you need a boot floppy disk, refer to the SDB article:

"Creating Boot and Modules Floppy Disks" (http://sdb.suse.de/en/sdb/html/swiegra_bootdiskette80.html)


Keywords: 80, PERSONAL, INSTALLATION, SETUP.EXE

Categories: Installation

SDB-personal_inst, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 13. Jun 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 13. Jun 2002 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)