How to Install OpenSUSE 12.3 (Dual-boot Windows)

OpenSUSE has been around since 2006 and have been very successful in releasing a stable Linux operating system. OpenSUSE is based on SUSE which is an enterprise level Linux. OpenSUSE can be installed as a server operating system or for just simple personal use. OpenSUSE is owned by Novell and follows a release schedule of every six months. This guide will be showing you how to install OpenSUSE 12.3 with the GNOME desktop environment as a dual-boot with Windows.

Before you begin make sure you have the following system requirements for this installation guide. This ensures a simple and easier installation.

RAM: 1 GB

CPU: 500MHz

HDD: 5 GB

The first step you need to do to complete the OpenSUSE installation is to go to the OpenSUSE website and download the installation DVD ISO image. The link to the download page can be found here: http://software.opensuse.org/123/en

Once you have downloaded the ISO image for the installation then you need to burn the ISO image to a blank DVD. If you do not know how to do this then do a Google search for “burning ISO image” using your operating system. I will be posting a guide soon on how to do this but for now there are many great tutorials out there.

Once you have burned the ISO image to a blank DVD then it is time to start the installation. Put the disk into the disk drive if it isn’t already and reboot your computer. When your computer reboots be sure to boot off of the Disk and not back into your current operating system. If your computer does not boot off of the disk then you may have to change your bios settings.

Once you boot off of the OpenSUSE 12.3 disk then your screen should look like the image below.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 DVD boot menu

Select the “Installation” option to begin the installation. You will then be taken to a license agreement page in which you select your language and keyboard layout. Select “Next” once you have completed this.

 

OpenSUSE 12.3 - License Agreement

On the next screen be sure that new installation is selected since you will be installing a new Linux operating system alongside Windows. Select next.

 

OpenSUSE 12.3 - Installation Type

On the next screen you will select your region and time zone. Mine happens to be USA and Eastern (New York). Click Next.

 

OpenSUSE 12.3 - Region Selection

On the next screen be sure to choose “GNOME Desktop” to install the GNOME desktop environment for this installation. Click Next.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Desktop Selection

On the next screen you will configure your partition settings. Read over the suggested partitioning criteria in the box to see if it looks correct. In red it states that it will shrink Windows to a certain size in GB. If you are okay with the size that it is shrinking Windows to then click next and skip the next few steps. If not click “Edit partition set up”.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Suggested Partitioning

If you choose to edit your partition set up then you will be taken to the screen below in which you will click on your NTFS Windows partition and click resize.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Expert Partitioning

On the next screen you will have three options to choose from. You can choose to set maximum size for Windows which will leave just enough room for your Linux installation. You can also choose the minimum size which will shrink the Windows partition to the size that Windows is currently. You also have the option to set a custom size. This is what I choose to do. Once you have selected one of the three options, click ok.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Three Options

Once you have clicked ok, click on the Linux native Ext4 partition that you will be installing OpenSUSE to and make sure that it is set to maximum size.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Three Options

Once you have completed this you may then click Accept to move onto the next step.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Expert Partitioning

You will then be taken back to the original screen with the suggested partitioning setup. From this screen you should your partitioning setup in the box and then click next.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Suggested Partitioning

On the next screen you will enter your name, username, and password. You also have the option to check or uncheck the box for automatic login. Once you’re satisfied click next.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - User Configuration

On the next screen you will be able to review the changes you’re about to make to your computer and what exactly is going to happen in this installation. Look over and make sure everything looks correct and then click install.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Installation Review

You will then get a pop up window informing you that changes are about to be made to your computer and for you to confirm you want to proceed. To proceed click install.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Installation Confirmation

Once you click install the installation will begin and may take a while.

OpenSUSE 12.3 - Installing

Once the installation is complete you will be prompted to reboot your system. Click ok to reboot.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Reboot

When your computer reboots you will reboot into the grub boot loader with the option to select Windows or OpenSUSE 12.3. Select OpenSUSE 12.3 to boot into your new Linux operating system.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Boot Menu

When your computer boots for the first time into Linux, OpenSUSE will need to do a few configuration changes to finalize the installation after which you will be taken to the desktop.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Automatic Configuration

After the configurations are set you will be taken to the desktop which will look like the screen below.

 OpenSUSE 12.3 - Desktop

Congratulations you have successfully installed OpenSUSE 12.3 with the GNOME desktop onto your computer alongside Windows. If you like this guide, be sure to like and share on the toolbar to the left. Also be sure to leave a comment below and let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy.