Error Message While Installing an RPM

Q: Errors on Software Installation

How do I install an RPM from a CD or the Internet? I keep getting an error message when I use Gnome-RPM.

A: Having "Permission"

If you're getting the error message similar to "failed to open /var/lib/rpm/packages.rpm" (see Figure 7-2) it's likely due to the your permissions.

When you install software, you're often required to make system-wide changes -- changes which only root can enact. In your user account, permission to make such changes will be unavailable to you by default.

Figure 7-2. An RPM Install Error

Here's a way to install RPMs in your home directory -- so you can work with them in your user account.

Open an Xterm window and, at the shell prompt, type su, then your rootpassword.
At the prompt -- which should now be a hash mark (#) -- type gnorpm to start Gnome-RPM.
Install or upgrade your package.
Exit from Gnome-RPM then, to exit from superuser mode, at the shell prompt, type exit.

For more information about RPM and Gnome-RPM, refer to the chapters in this guide or, for greater depth, refer to the Official Red Hat Linux Reference Guide.