can't install SUSE Source RPMs from HP (HP 2133)

[jonrepair]

Hi guys,

I really need help here. I've recently replaced a Hard Drive in an HP 2133 that had SUSE Enterprise Desktop 10 install on it.

Customer didn't receive an installation disc with the laptop and I've tried downloading the HP_2133_preload_suse.i686-1.1.5.src.iso
from HP but can't get a Boot Disc to run with an external USB CD Drive.

Has anyone had any success installing it? Any advice to help me out?

p.s. I'm a total Noobie when it comes to Linux.

[jd704]

Can you not just stick it on a USB, make it bootable, and use that? My 2133 boots from USB sticks no bother.

PS: You might want to check with them that they want SLED10 putting back on - Ubuntu is a far better option and gets around all of the headaches associated with SLED10 as I'm currently finding out...

[mikez]

Well, everyone has to start somewhere . . .

That iso labeled "src" is just that, the source files for the programs;
not directly installable binaries.

What you need is an iso of the installable binaries. When the 2133 was
current, you could call HP customer service and they would send you the
install disk. Maybe you still can, give it a try.

There should be no problem about you doing it for a customer - the HP
records go by the machine's serial number (on tag, on bottom) - so that
you don't need the customer's purchase order or invoice numbers.
Although they may only ship it to the same address as the machine was
shipped - you may have to dicker with them about that one.

The reason behind this is, SUSE Enterprise is one of the commercial support
Linux distributions.
If you can't get the original installation iso - then ask your customer if
they will let you switch to a communtiy support Linux distribution.
Those you can download the installation iso from the distribution's web-site.
The most similar to what the customer had: OpenSUSE
The most popular: Ubuntu
Google can tell you where their web-sites are.

[jonrepair]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I don't have a spare 2GB USB stick handy (only a 1GB) so I'll have to wait a couple of days before I can try the USB route.

I have contact HP Customer Care and someone is getting back to me later on whether they can get me a CD.

After a bit of research I'm not really sure how far I will get trying to install it from DOS, so hopefully the HP route will work out!