how to install an rpm file
 

How do i install an rpm file? I'm using redhat

Since you are new I'm going to tell you about a utility you will learn to live by. It is called "man" short for manual. Usage would be like this "man rpm" this will tell you how to use it and options that are available.

how do i run "man"? If i go to the run command and type man or man rpm nothing executes.

I'm assuming you're in KDE or Gnome and are just clicking on something that gives you a place to type in a command.

The best thing to do is to open a terminal and then type it in the command line.

In the console you install an rpm using
rpm -i filename.rpm
(you need to be root to do it, so if you're logged in as a normal user use 'su' command before and provide root password when it ask you).

'man rpm' is quite long and reading it will show you many interesting options.

I don't know how it is with RH, but you may try to double-click the file. If you're lucky, it may work and you'll be asked for root password and when provided the program will be installed.

i was googling for info on this topic and i ran across this post. i'm trying to use conectiva linux on a dell inspiron 2650c. i found rpm's for my touchpad and i think even one for my wireless card, but one thing at a time. i opened a terminal window, su'ed into root and typed "rmp -i <thefilename>.rpm" the prompt came back and i typed the same thing and it told me that rmp was already installed. when i restarted the machine, my touchpad still didn't work. do i have to edit the x86config file also or should installing the rpm do this for me? i would really hate going back to windows just to get my machine working right. forgive the lack of patience, i'm a complete and total newbie. thanks for all help.

I'm not familiar with the package you have but I would guess that it is a kernel module, maybe? To find out the files the rpm installed oyu can do a "rpm -ql packagename". Now this should produce a list of files. If there is a file in /lib/modules/somthing.o then this is a kernel module that you will need to load. "modprobe something" should load this module. If it isn't a module then rpm -ql should show a README or etc to check out, you should probably read that anyway.

Just do a "rpm -Uvh packagename.rpm" at the command prompt