problem with apt-get install
 

Hello,
I am trying to install blackboxwm on two different machines, and although I have tried several different methods of doing so I still am at a loss ( I tried installing from a tar.gz - I only made it as far as the 'make install' end of things... It bottomed out trying to install the translation somethingOrOther. The results from $apt-get install [blackbox,Blackbox,BlackBox] were even less promising. ...despite that I see myself having the easiest time with apt. )

Here is what I got back from the command line with apt:

-----------

apt-get install BlackBox
error: cannot get exclusive lock on /var/lib/rpm/Packages
error: cannot open Packages index using db3 - Operation not permitted (1)
error: cannot open Packages database in
E: could not open RPM database

-----------

Although I do show up as a newbie ( and I dont dispute that I am ) I have been trying Mandrake and RH since high school... I recently got a job in a Linux shop and work 40+ hours a week at the command line... If I have asked something stupid please go easy on me - you have a willing M$ convert in me.

Thanks muchly.

You are not being root!!!
trying to login as root, then install it.
you type "su -" to login as root.

Yes, I am being root. I apologize for not being more explicit... I have tried this many ways over the past couple of days and in my impatience and frustration did not list all of the results I have seen.

when logged in as su I have used 'apt-get install BlackBox' and 'apt-get update' with both indicating I have two versions of xmms installed and that I need to correct this. How can you determine what software is actually installed on your system? Could someone point me to a key few files I should be aware of? Some links maybe? Recommend a good book, whatever, I'm desperate here!

I hope you are somewhere warmer than here. :-D
oh, and thanks.

you could check how many xmms was installed on your system by
"rpm -qa | grep xmms"
also, try to login using "su -"
you could erase a package by "rpm -e (package's name)"

for example. if the packge named was listed like
rpm -q xmms
xmms.i386.rpm
you uninstall it by
rpm -e xmms

hmmm... I am at work right now, so I have a whole different set of problems installing blackbox, but from what you have told me already I should be able to install blackbox at home. Thank you.

Unfortunatly the problem isnt consistant between the two machines.

Here's what I see on this machine...

[root@localhost me]# apt-get install BlackBox
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
E: Couldn't find package BlackBox
[root@localhost me]#

don't know about apt for RPM - but you can use "apt-cache search" after updating on Debian APT:

#apt-get update
#apt-cache search blackbox

give it a shot. or just grab the RPM itself:

http://www.rpmfind.net/linux/rpm2htm...query=blackbox

Yeah - thanks - I just had a co-worker show me that... He also uses apt on Debian.
The real problem lies in that I dont really know how to install rpm's by hand. I followed a tutorial to get as far as I have with this machine... I unpacked a tar.gz for the first time because of this too... I just cant seem to get it to install.
I'm going to give up for now; It seems like there is too much I dont know how to do yet to be trying this.
Thanks for all your posts though!

ok - but if you change your mind this may help:

Chapter 32. Package Management with RPM
https://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/...de/ch-rpm.html

heh well without exactly meaning to you pointed me in the right direction Genesee...
I opened up the link you posted, read less than a paragraph, and slapped my forhead.

GRAPHICAL RPM MANAGERS!!!!!!!!!

I had blackbox installed within 5 minutes.
Thanks for the head check.