Start with SuSe an install CD downloaded from one of the SuSe mirrors. (I still haven't tried nor figured out how to download the complete collection - which is helpful timing-wise when installing the system afresh.)
Boot install CD.
Activate kernel module for the Intel PRO/100 network interface.
Install via FTP using the beginning instructions from Tutorial: How to install SuSE 9.0 via ftp. Essentially, the trick is making sure to use a viable mirror for the sys-install. In the case of the howto I am referencing, the writer uses:
It is a good idea to test different mirrors and see how many hops they are away from your location. I have done extensive FreeBSD installations and have found two mirrors to be relatively close to me. Ironically, the mirror that is theoretically up the road from me at University of Wisconsin - Madison is at least 3-5 router hops farther away than a mirror through Pair.com's service. (Another lesson that net transfer efficiency is related to the logical and not necessarily the physical organization.)
After downloading the latest YAST program, YAST started and I made the appropriate selections. Because I didn't have anything on the Windows partition to worry about, I took the chance and allowed YAST to automatically partition the hard drive. After all selections of desired configurations and programs were made, I let YAST go to work and download the needed files from the gov's mirror (finally, my tax dollars at work for me).
