Have heard (and experienced) lots of problems installing 11.2 (finally got it on due to better repair sections, but still now have to boot from Suselinux Failsafe). It definitely is much better than 11.0 and 11.1 and if they ever fix the bug (after 4 months) of not allowing retention of choice of Dvorak, then I'd want to keep it.
Is it possible that most of the install problems can be avoided by use of the official Novell box set instead of using a purchased, but copied, dvd?
If anyone has knowledge of this matter would appreciate being so informed as have numerous other installs to go through on other laptops and not looking forward to repeats of these headaches.

Personally I've never had a problem using dvds that I've burned myself. Its recommended to burn at slower speeds like 4x. Also always check the md5 sums of downloads and verify burns.

Thank you bdquick for your input. My concern is that I have very slow download so can't burn it myself, but have to purchase already copied dvd from some supplier. On 11.1 got 2 from supplier in France who said install problems were no doubt due to my equipment at some location, so I took the worst laptop system/problem I had and tried to install a 10.2 which I had purchased as a boxed set directly from Novell -- got smooth, flawless install. So I know that the problems were either with the discs I was provided or with the 11.1 OS itself, and thus I suspect that I may have better luck using the official boxed set dvd.
Really could probably get by with the general headaches of the install, if could manager to find way to get Dvorak operable, but seems this 4-month old bug just isn't ever going to get attention, and don't myself know how to switch it in to replace the qwerty.

I understand what you're doing now. Didn't realize you were buying burnt discs from places online. Haven't done that myself, so can't comment on their quality. If you have any friends with fast connections, maybe they could download the iso for you.

I downloaded 11.0 and 11.2 and both times had problems not only with burning, but install too. I then purchased Linux Pro mag. with a dvd and both installs went flawlessly. (not to mention some good reading)

I have been using /burning linux operating systems for 10 years. I have also experienced some of the problem described. So, my check list, in order of importance:
1) Download and check iso md5. If slow download speeds, use bittorrent.
2) Burn with a good dvd. Sometimes off brands and house brands have quality issues that seem to affect an iso burn more than simply data files.
3) If a problem arises during install, assume it is the disk. OpenSuse has a check tool after the burn, which is great.
4) If persistent problem, check the disk in another machine. Remember that a dvd device can burn poorly and still read. Also, if it is reading poorly, nothing will burn correctly. Replace dvd device.
5) If other issues arise while the computer is running, check memory for failed chips.
6) After the above, check the processor.
7) If everything seems to be wrong, it could be the chip set. Unfortunately, the above 3 really require having an extra machine around to check parts.

I have used Cheapbytes prior to burning myself. I never got a bad burn from them. http://www.cheapbytes.com