Well I'm making (slow!) progress.
The Ubuntu Edgy CD didn't do any better than the Ubuntu 6.06 one so I decided to try a network install.
I have put an RTL8139 based network card into the system and it's recognised by my Suse 10.1 mini-iso, hurrah!
After a few minor hiccoughs I have it configured and it can see the outside world. I have ven got as far as pointing it at an FTP site.
However I have one big problem, I can't find anywhere that tells me what directory of the FTP site I need to point it at. I can't find anyhwhere on the www.opensuse.org site that tells me where to get the files from when doing a network install.
It tells you how to do a *really* difficult install when you have no CD at all but doesn't tell you what to do when you've booted from the mini-iso CD.
So, can anyone tell me where I should point it and/or point me at some documentation?