Hi folks I am ashamed to admit I was a tech lead on a HD that supported 500,000 and I can't even figure out how the heck to install an RPM. Heres the deal. I have RH9 installed and running, and I'd like to update GAIM. It is calling for the gtkspell package which I downloaded ( its called gtkspell-2.0.4-fr3.i386.rpm)

now here is where i am stuck. i don't understand what to do with it. i am logged in as root. if i double click it, it tells me it is Preparing a System Update, and then the little dialog closes and well, thats all she wrote... If I go into shell and type rpm -i gtkspell-2.0.4-fr3.i386.rpm, it does essentially the same thing without the dialog box. I get a progress bar with ###s and thats it. What am I missing here? I would very much like to install APT and Synaptic, and when I try to do those, the same thing happens.

I am enjoying my foray into Linux, and I probably will switch over to JAMD soon, and I think once I understand what to do with these packages things will go alot smoother. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Step by step instructions are generally best for me, as I am still not used to this OS yet.

dani

rpm -ivh gtkspell-2.0.4-fr3.i386.rpm
Its better if you do it from console because if there is a problem with dependencies or anything then it will write them on the console. Also, check to see if the package is installed using this:
rpm -q name_of_package

# Guides to software and installation and uninstallation
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

# Red Hat links
Red Hat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
Red Hat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Red Hat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Red Hat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network
Manage software:
redhat-config-packages

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

That should have installed gtkspell.

Then be sure to remove the current gaim first:
rpm -e gaim
then
rpm -ivh gaim.whatever.rpm

That should do it.

If you have more troubles with it, then cut and paste the session here. With linux you can select text with the mouse then simply change the focus back here and hit your middle button to paste.

regards...

Edit: dang i'm a slow typer

you guys are THE BEST! it worked. when i was checking with rpm -q i was typing the whole filename not just "gaim" or "gtkspell" so it was telling me things werent installed. duh of course!

lots to learn but I think i can do it!

Hi all, I have more or less the same problem as kiteless, except that I don't even get the ###s. RPM stalls out completely, up2date stalls too and apt/synaptic does nothing either.

I suspect python is the culprit because RPM and up2date both runs of python, and apt/synaptic uses RPM. But how do I get them to work again? no matter what commands I give these apps, they just stall out completely.

I've updated my Python to 2.3 but still nothing helps... Looks like all programs that run of Python just stalls, well, all the programs mentioned above.

Thanks in advance!