ok, kill the process first...

ps -ax | grep 'rpm' | grep -v grep
kill pid or kill -9 pid

e.g.
[root@pc root]# ps -ax | grep 'rpm' | grep -v grep
2553 pts/0 R 0:00 /usr/lib/rpm/rpmq -q --all
[root@pc root]# kill 2553

Then try to run this to see if your rpmdb is corrupted.
rpm -qa | grep -i 'kernel'

If nothing show up for a while, your rpmdb possibly corrupted.
Then you need to rebuild the rpmdb.

If the rpmdb is fine. Try to force the reinstall of the rp8 package.
rpm -Uvh --force RealPlayer8-8.0.3.412-5
or
rpm -ivh --force RealPlayer8-8.0.3.412-5

Then remove the package using -e again.

i really wouldn't bother with all of this. you can easioly make mplayer natively use the realplayer libraries by compiling it yourself. http://mplayerhq.hu

[root@localhost alex]# rpm -qa | grep -i 'realplay'
RealPlayer-8.0-1
[root@localhost alex]# rpm -qa | grep -i 'kernel'
kernel-pcmcia-cs-3.1.31-13
kernel-2.4.20-20.9
kernel-2.4.20-6
kernel-2.4.20-19.9
[[root@localhost alex]# rpm -Uvh -v --force RealPlayer-8.0-1
D: ============== RealPlayer-8.0-1
error: open of RealPlayer-8.0-1 failed: No such file or directory
D: found 0 source and 0 binary packages
[root@localhost alex]# rpm -ivh -v --force RealPlayer-8.0-1
D: ============== RealPlayer-8.0-1
error: open of RealPlayer-8.0-1 failed: No such file or directory
D: found 0 source and 0 binary packages

No such luck, and btw I tried to install mplayer once...it was messy and didn't get me anywhere.

installing mplayer from source is really easy...


anyway what is that rpm command meant to achieve? it's certainly not correct whatever you're trying to do.

[root@localhost alex]# rpm -ivh rp8*
Preparing... ########################################### [100%]
package RealPlayer-8.0-1 is already installed
[root@localhost alex]# rpm -e -v rp8*
error: package rp8.linux20.libc6.i386.cs2.rpm is not installed

Ah yes my plight, realplayer is installed but it isn't it is installed but it isn't it is installed but it isn't...all work and no play makes jack a dull boy...

spot the difference:
1 - "package RealPlayer-8.0-1 is already installed"
2 - "package rp8.linux20.libc6.i386.cs2.rpm is not installed"

a filename is NOT a package name....

yeah but the package came from this file...and when I try 'rpm -e RealPlayer-8.0-1' it comes up with file/package not found

linuXBOX,
In your post #18

[root@localhost alex]# rpm -qa | grep -i 'realplay'
RealPlayer-8.0-1
# ok

[root@localhost alex]# rpm -qa | grep -i 'kernel'
kernel-pcmcia-cs-3.1.31-13
kernel-2.4.20-20.9
kernel-2.4.20-6
kernel-2.4.20-19.9
# ok

[[root@localhost alex]# rpm -Uvh -v --force RealPlayer-8.0-1
# rpm -Uvh --force packagename.rpm
# You don't need to specify -verbose twice
# type the package name exactly, case sensitive as well.
D: ============== RealPlayer-8.0-1
error: open of RealPlayer-8.0-1 failed: No such file or directory
D: found 0 source and 0 binary packages
# the package is not in the directory where you ran the rpm command
# command "pwd" will tell you where you are (print working directory)

[root@localhost alex]# rpm -ivh -v --force RealPlayer-8.0-1
D: ============== RealPlayer-8.0-1
error: open of RealPlayer-8.0-1 failed: No such file or directory
D: found 0 source and 0 binary packages
# Same as above, your alex directory do not have the package "RealPlayer-8.0.1" or a typo in the package name, e.g. missing .rpm.

In your post#20
[root@localhost alex]# rpm -ivh rp8*
Preparing... ########################################### [100%]
package RealPlayer-8.0-1 is already installed
# ok
[root@localhost alex]# rpm -e -v rp8*
error: package rp8.linux20.libc6.i386.cs2.rpm is not installed
# rpm -e RealPlayer-8.0-1
# acid_kewpie is right
# rpm -Uvh package_file_name
# rpm -e package_name

If you still find difficult to use the rpm command, you can try gnorpm, the GUI rpm.

Possibly I'll try mplayer too then.

Well the thing is when I 'grep' it gives me the realplay file which I tried to 'rpm -e' ,however it returns not found... but I'm sure I rpm'd it in my /home/alex dir. Of course I wasn't sure so I ran 'locate realplay' and I tried every dir it returned, so then I got drastic and deleted every single realplay file I could find...However that may have messed up my situation even more...but if I try to install realplay, it returns 'Package already installed.' Where do I go now, short of a complete reformat?

I understand it is very frustrated.
If I were you:
1. Install the RealPlayer8 from Red Hat. Fix the program path problem and make it working first.
2. Forget about the RealPlayer9.
3. Even re-install the OS, you might probably run into other problems. It is wise to keep your existing OS and keep its productivity. You are in Linux world. You won't get bluescreen and have to re-install... Btw, the next version of RH should come soon... every half year... I guess...
4. If you want to learn more, get a Linux cookbook from Amazon.

OK, OK, I guess I can try to relax about it, I've lost enogh sleep.

I had a difficult time installing mplayer until I realized the version number in the instruction command (on the website) was different from what I had downloaded. Once I corrected my command line, it installed.

Hmmm, I don't know which way to go... I think I'll just drop it b/c I don't have the time or patience right now. Maybe another day. Thnx however to those who helped, or tried to..I appreciate it extensively