Hello,

I forget what the command is if you want to extract a .tar.gz file with its file structure in tact. For instance say the tar file has a few folders and sub folders inside that I would like to be able to untar that with the file structure being created as it is doing so.

I have tried to tar -zxvf file1.tar.gz however it gives me the following error message.

tar: class/scalable/apps/gnome-session-halt.png: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Skipping to next header
class/scalable/apps/gftp.png
tar: class/scalable/apps/gftp.png: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Skipping to next header
class/scalable/apps/debian-logo.png
tar: class/scalable/apps/debian-logo.png: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Skipping to next header

and so on and so on. I figure this is because it does not have the file structure it wants while extracting so it errors out. How would i extract this tar file so it creates the file structure it wants to extract to ?

It may be a corrupted tarball. Try running it with the -t switch, and see if it can list what's in it.

tar -ztf file1.tar.gz

That should list the contents, but not extract.

Another issue could be attempting to untar in a location that you don't have rights to.

You probably have the "man pages" installed by default - so open a terminal and try Theres a link in my sig about decyphering man pages.

regards

John

Yes i have the man pages installed. I have read through the tar man page a few times but can't find a switch that will do what i'm looking for. I thought tar create the structure as needed depending on how it was tared but it doesn't seem to be working. I'm going to take another look at the permissions when i get home and also check to see if the tar is corrupt.

I don't think it is corrupt as a few of the tars are off www.gnome-look.org and I downloaded about 4-5. I coudln't see all of them being corrupt.

Some versions of tar are finicky about the dash in the options try it without the dash.


jer

By default, GNU tar will recreate any needed directory structures. Are you sure you have permission to create directories in the directory you are in?