Hello helpful Linux wizards!

Again, I am a super-newbie. I have just installed Mandrake Limited Edition 2005, and am trying to get a feel for the Linux world.

I'm trying to install Firefox 1.0.2, but I'm getting an error that I don't know how to resolve.

I'm going to the firefox website and downloading the file: firefox-1.0.2.installer.tar.gz. Then, I do the following:

tar -zxvf firefox-1.0.2.installer.tar.gz
cd firefox-1.0.2.installer
./firefox-installer

... which gives me the following error:

./firefox-installer-bin: error while loading shared libraries: libstdc++.so.5: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Can someone help an absolute newbie? Keep in mind, I'm very new w/ Linux! Thanks for any help you can provide!

locate libstdc++.so
Go to where the results are, and do something like this:
ln -s libstdc++.so libstdc++.so.5

Make sure you do not overwrite an existing file! man ln for more info. The -s is important.

When you say 'go to where the results are', do you mean to change to that directory?

What exactly does 'ln -s libstdc++.so libstdc++.so.5' do?

Ok, so I see that the 'ln -s...' will create a virtual link. Does this need to be done from the directory that the existing libstdc++.so file is located?

You can use full path names or from within the directory where the file is located.

Thanks for the info, folks. I'll give it a shot tonight and let you know what happens!

That could work, but it's a hack. The problem is that you got the wrong version of the stdc++ library installed. (Wrong, as in incompatible with your binary file). I bet you have libstdc++.so.6, right?
You should download binaries for the right version if your operating system. My firefox is statically linked so I guess it all depends. Did you get it from mozilla.org or your distro mirror?

I'm away from my box right now... not sure what version of libstdc++ I currently have... I'll find out in a few hours!

Not sure if this is what you were asking, but I downloaded the Firefox tar.gz file from mozilla.org.

Would I be correct in assuming I should download the libstdc++5-3.3.4-4mdk.i586.rpm from rpm.pbone.net, or would I be better off trying the virtual link?

No, that is not a hack rpz. You shouldn't downgrade.. You can check into it, but they are probably binary compatible. I always try the symlink first. If it doesn't work you will know right away. These are pretty close, it's not like he's using a version that's 1 year newer!

But go ahead and fight the downgrade if you wish.

The good news is I ended up installing the libstdc++ 5 rpm, and I was able to install Firefox!

The bad news is that it didn't seem to update my existing copy, rather installed a separate program on my desktop. How do I configure/move files so it will replace my older Firefox? (i.e., the old version is still being loaded in KDE through 'Web Browsers')

Do I have to install the file from a different directory? If so, where is the standard folder that Mandrake puts these types of files? I'm completely new to this file structure!

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Figured it out, thanks for all your help everyone! This site rocks. You are truly encouraging others to learn Linux!

You got me wrong. I did not suggest downgrading libstdc++, but getting the correct firefox binaries. Maybe I was unclear about this, sorry.
Usually editing symlinks like this by hand just results in undefined symbols and errors like that, because some functions may be missing. About the stdc++ library I don't know.

i meet the same guestion in freebsd5.3 platplam
when i install realplay10 player,

i am in the trouble for a long time.
i have post a new thread in www.freebsdforum.org
about the file not found question .but nobody know it.

maybe this thread can help me.
thanks in advanced.

I had the same problem as you on FreebSD with RealPlayer. If I get a solution I'll post back.