Error Messages During Installation of RPMs

Q: Errors During Software Installation

How do I install an RPM from a CD or the Internet? I keep getting an error message when I use Gnome-RPM.

A: File Permissions

If you're getting an error message similar to failed to open /var/lib/rpm/packages.rpm (see Figure 13-2) it's probably because you do not have the correct permissions set.

When you install software, you're often required to make system-wide changes — changes which only root can make. If you are using your user account, you will not have permission to make such changes by default.

For more information about RPM and Gnome-RPM, refer to the chapters in this guide or, for greater depth, refer to the Official Red Hat Linux Customization Guide on the Documentation CD (or online, at http://www.redhat.com/support/manuals).