Guys:

I receive an "unknown error" message each time I attempt to install RPM packages in Linux. What do you recommend I check first or is something corrupt ?

This happens both under a user account I created and also under Root

THanks,

- JOe

Give some specifics, distro, exactly what was downloaded, commands or gui tool used, etc

How to get good answers with your questions about Linux

# Guides to software management
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

# Mandrake links
Mandrake home page
Mandrake Users website
Easy urpmi config for Mandrake
urpmi mini-HOWTO
Easy software management: Red Carpet
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
You didn't install the developmental packages? As root, command:
urpmi gcc
An Introduction to the Midnight Commander. You can install it by commanding:
urpmi mc
Midnight Commander home page

Have you tried opening a console, su-ing to root, and trying the command urpmi anypackageinthedirectory.rpm ? See if that gives you similar errors, or not.

It started happening after the machine froze once

The screensaver/screen lock kicked in when I was logged in as root, and when i mistyped the password, it never recovered

I had to shut it off manually, and ever since I started up again I could not use Mandrake Control panel from my user account, but I can use it as root

Now root cannot install RPM packages using Mandrake control panel or by directly accessing them through a file manager

I've just been downloading tar.gz files instead and installing the packages that way instead

- Joe