I am trying to execute a .bin file in suse 9.2 but when I try to execute it it gives me an error saying cannot execute binary file. So far I have been unsuccessful in installing any additional programs at all. I have downloaded 6 different games and followed the install instructions provided but they either don't install, or give lots of errors.

So far my linux experience has been that it is simply too difficult to install anything for it to be worth it. I have tried several distros to no avail. It's always the same thing with installing programs in every version. It is the most frustrating thing I have ever done. I don't think I have screamed at anything more often than I have this.

There must be something I am doing wrong since I know that people can and do install additional programs. Please help.

Often, you need to make the bin executable. I will assume you downloaded the .bin file to /home/name, and I'll call the file download.bin. Make the appropriate changes to match your actual username and location.

If you did not download the file to your home directory, then you will need to be root to do those commands most likely. Depending on what the .bin tfile tries to do, you may need to be root in any case. If you need to be root, it will give you an error, and usually say something like "only root can do this", or something along those lines.

Peace,
JimBass

Still says that it cannot execute the bin file

Did you try it as root, and also, what is the .bin file? Are you sure it is meant to be executed? Maybe was it part of a larger package or something like that? I have seen .bin downloads a few times, but usually linux downloads are .tar.gz, tar.bz2, or any of the distr-specific packages, like .deb, .rpm etc.

Also, we can probably help much better if you copy and paste the entire input/output from the command that is failing.

Peace,
JimBass

In the install instructions it says to execute the bin so I think I am supposed to execute it.
here's what it says when I try to execute it:
robby@linux:~> cd '/home/robby/Downloaded files/el_101'
robby@linux:~/Downloaded files/el_101> sh el.x86.linux.bin
el.x86.linux.bin: el.x86.linux.bin: cannot execute binary file
robby@linux:~/Downloaded files/el_101>

Says the same thing when I try to execute it under root as well

If you did what I said in the first post, and made the .bin file executable, then you don't tell it sh el.x86.linux.bin, you should just do ./el.x86.linux.bin

Peace,
JimBass

Here's what it says:
robby@linux:~/Downloaded files/el_101> ./elx86.linux.bin
bash: ./elx86.linux.bin: No such file or directory
robby@linux:~/Downloaded files/el_101

You have given 2 different names for the same file. FIrst you called it el.x86.linux.bin then you tried to run it with the name elx86.linux.bin. That period could be the problem. If it is the only file in the directory that starts with el, then type ./el and then hit tab, it should automatically fill in the rest of the name for you. You can also do ls in the directory, and see the names of all non-hidden files, and copy the name of the file from there.

Peace,
JimBass

That got it! Useful to know that I can press tab to copy a filename. That I didn't know, nor have I seen it mentioned elsewhere. Thanks man

Right on! Tab doesn't copy though, it just fills in the blank. If you have 10 files that all start with abc, and you type abc and hit tab, it doesn't know what you want. It will fill in to where the names are different, then you have to give it the next character, then try tab, and if your choice is clear, it fills in the rest.

Peace,
JimBass