[SOLVED] How to open a tar.gz file

Menomic · 08-10-2012, 05:36 PM

Im trying to open a Tar.gz file and I keep putting in the command tar -zxvf filename.tar.gz but it keeps saying it cant find the file. I am replacing the filename with the actually file name but does it make a difference if its on my desktop?

suicidaleggroll · 08-10-2012, 05:50 PM

You need to give it the location of the file. You can only run "tar -zxvf file.tar.gz" if file.tar.gz is in your current directory. If the file is in directory A, and your terminal is in directory B, it won't work because the terminal will be looking for the file in the directory B.

short answer: if the file is on the desktop, then cd to the desktop and run the command there.

snowday · 08-10-2012, 05:51 PM

Welcome to the forums!

Yes, if the file is in your Desktop folder then you must first change directory (cd) into that folder:

Code:

cd Desktop

Alternately you can use the full path:

Code:

tar -zxvf /home/mnemonic/Desktop/filename.tar.gz

Also if your Linux has a GUI desktop environment and a GUI archive manager (such as file-roller for example) you can typically just double-click on it.

Menomic · 08-10-2012, 06:23 PM

Right now im using Backtrack5.
~update~
I got it open by just moving the .tar.gz but now i got to figure out how to unmount the wireless card module/driver and put it in

snowday · 08-10-2012, 06:44 PM

Glad you got the archive open!

You might want to start a new thread for your wireless problem, and be sure to include your wireless card manufacturer and chipset so you someone can help you.