i needs help installing programs!!

JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
edited March 2004 in Science & Tech
well see... this is kinda my first time using Linux, anyways im using KDE, and im trying to install Mozilla (cause i use it win2000 and its sweet) well anyways i finally found the installer so i double click it, it asks me to what directory i want to install it in, i just usually leave it default then i click next, and it says "Directory usr/local/mozilla does not exsist create it?" then i click yes, then it says "error -642 cant make destination directory please try another directory" i have many time tried others, but they all say the same thing, what the heck is goin on?

if it helps im using Mandrake 9.2

Comments

  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    god... why is Linux so hard to install programs with? why cant they make it simple!! :shakehead
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited March 2004
    I'm not 100% sure what the error # means, but I'm guessing that you're trying to install Mozilla into a global-dir (one that is visible to all users,) instead of one in your /home/~ directory. Assuming you're the sole-user of the Linux machine, you'll have to log in as root (Administrator) and complete the installation.

    Simply:

    jengo@local: su
    please enter password: **********
    root@local: (configure && make && make install) or (launch the installation script)

    ctrl^D to logoff root and switch back to user.
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    what the heck, how do i do that? sorry... im like a total linux n00b, im serious... i had it a couple years ago, and i almost died, trying to figure the darn thing out...

    anyways, how do i log into root? i remember making a root password and what not, but how do i get into the console? (cause after looking around on the net alittle i figured thats what you gotta get into)
    ginipig wrote:

    Simply:

    jengo@local: su
    please enter password: **********
    root@local: (configure && make && make install) or (launch the installation script)

    ctrl^D to logoff root and switch back to user.
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited March 2004
    So your computer automatically boots up into the window manager? To get into console, hit ctrl+alt+f4 (most function keys should work also,) or you could create an x-term from within your windows manager.

    typing "su" (without the quotation marks) allows you to switch to any other user, provided you know the passwords. In this case, typing "su" by itself will allow you to switch to root. Type in the password, and navigate to the Mozilla Installation Directory. Lauch the executable script from there.
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    ok witht he help of you and a simple tutorial i found, i figured i can open up a dos like window by pushing ctrl+d i then typed su, it prompted for password, i typed it in everything fine, i get this part perfect, now, on to the tricky part,

    ok to install a program i type rpm -i "then name of program" right? but how can i tell if its an rpm or not? cause some files end wih bin, others with nothing and some with .run, how do i do those files? thanks man for helping me
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited March 2004
    If you're able to view the file using vim/emac, the first line should indicate how it should be read. Make sure the file is executable "chmod u+x." If it's an rpm file, you could either use redhats (i'm assuming you're using this) packetmanager to get the job done, or an rpm-query app that's specific to your linux flavor.

    In most cases, the installation script is the most easiest method of install (although it hinders the learning process.)

    Lets say the file was "installme.run"

    At prompt:

    $ ./installme.run
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    just log out and log back in as root. then run the installer. you're trying to install a program to the system, you have to be root to do that. it's a security thing. that's why worms and viruses will never be as successful on linux as on windows. in windows, you have full admin access by default. anyhow, you can still su - (make sure to include the -) and then hit enter and type in the root password. you'll then be at /root, so cd to /home/jengo or wherever the mozilla installer is and then run it.

    what does the file end with? if it's .rpm, then do rpm -ivh file.rpm. if it's a tar.gz, you do tar -zxvf file.tar.gz, then you'll have a new directory named the name of the .tar.gz file. cd into that directory, then you need to compile the program, which usually involves running these command in succession. ./configure, then run make, then run make install. again, all these are to be run as root. sometimes, you can also run make clean after the installer is done to remove temp install files.

    if the file ends in .sh, do sh ./file.sh.
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited March 2004
    :topic: .. That obese kid scares me ..
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    everytime I post something, someone mentions the fat kid lol
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited March 2004
    If he was in a still frame, it would be ok. But the jollydance + zooming combo is freaky.
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    man, typing all that junk, i wish it could be as easy as Windows, just double click it and follow the wizzard...

    anyhow, im gonna try that, lets see what happens
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    i'm about ready to give you my phone number just to walk you through it man lol
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    man... linux is just so complicated, compared to windows...

    i can get anything done i want in windows.. i cant even install a program in linux... thats pathetic... i am a n00b again..
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited March 2004
    Nothing like
    ./configure; make; make install

    to give one a feeling of accomplishment when installing a program. :)
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    Jengo wrote:
    well see... this is kinda my first time using Linux, anyways im using KDE, and im trying to install Mozilla (cause i use it win2000 and its sweet) well anyways i finally found the installer so i double click it, it asks me to what directory i want to install it in, i just usually leave it default then i click next, and it says "Directory usr/local/mozilla does not exsist create it?" then i click yes, then it says "error -642 cant make destination directory please try another directory" i have many time tried others, but they all say the same thing, what the heck is goin on?

    if it helps im using Mandrake 9.2

    Um, my Mozilla lives in /home/john/mozilla

    mozilla can be installed in the Konsole from within KDe, and should be.

    Do this for the easy way:

    Down on your taskbar-like thing is a "TV with a seashell" icon. Click it.

    in that window, type this:

    cd /home/jengo
    md downloads
    cd downloads
    md mozilla
    cd ..
    cd ..
    exit

    Now, open Konqueror the file manager for Mandrake.

    Type in:
    http://www.mozilla.org/

    It will play browser for you, take you there.

    When you get to mozilla.org you can get one of two package types, I just get the stable tar.gz package. When I tell mozilla to give it to me by clikcing the download link, Konqueror lets me save it. It goes in /home/jengo/downloads/mozilla .

    you will get a file, in that folder, that you need to EXTRACT, it is a tarball archive that is also gzipped. there is an easy way to do this, basically once it is there you open the TV-with-a-scallop-in-front-of-it icon again and do this:

    cd /home/jengo/downloads/mozilla
    ls
    (ls gets you a listing of what is there, should be exactly one file there now write down or memorize the file name or highlight it and find the copy command in the menus in the top of Konsole and clikc that while it is highlighted, it will save you a bunch of typing)

    Once you have done that, you can do this:
    type in:
    'tar -xzvf '(and then the file name either gets pasted in or you type it in and then tap the enter key-- NOTE: do NOT type in the ' characters, you DO need the space after -xzvf which is why I had to use single quotes.)

    It will spew a bunch of info, when it is done do an ls and enter the brand new folder it made you. There will be a mozilla install script-- name was mozilla-install.sh for all the versions I have installed. Run it. let it stick the install in /home/jengo/mozilla and that it will make, the installer can install the program to where ever you want it and I just stick mine in my /home/john/Mozilla1_6 folder.

    Next time you need a program, let us know what, lots of things are available in RPM form and can be installed with the Software Manager in Mandrake Control Center in Mandrake 9.2 and in Mandrake 10 Community (the oipen source part of what will become Mandrake 10 Offical which will be out in May approximately), which is going out to the mirrors now.

    Essentially you can make a directory in your /home/jengo/downloads directory called RPM. Then you can use the Source Manager in the Software Manager part of Mandrake control center to make a local source. Then you can use the stuff in your local source to install atuomatically. When you come up with things you want to do, I can explain RPM to you or show you how to use URPMI or RMPDrake or the software manager to set this up.

    John D-- with the "gui-ish" way for Mandrake 9.2 (which I have a licensed PowerPack of, though I am busy studying SuSE 9.0 right now).
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    OMG!! SO COMPLICATED!!!

    *jengos head explodes*
  • FormFactorFormFactor At the core of forgotten
    edited March 2004
    Jengo wrote:
    OMG!! SO COMPLICATED!!!

    *jengos head explodes*

    I agree. I H8 trying to get stuff working in Linux
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited March 2004
    Perhaps you should take kanez up on his almost-offer to help you via phone. :)
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    dude, it would probably take hours for him to teach me...

    unless there is some kind of version of MSN messenger service already installed on my linux partition, we probably couldnt talk...
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited March 2004
    What got you into Linux in the first place?
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    its free, i hate windows, and its free, and its different, and i like its style, and i want to not support bill gates cause hes greedy and he has too much money,
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    oh and gini if you have MSN can you message me?

    or aim?

    aim: b0ogie pop phtm (dont laugh its an anime....)
    MSN: heavygrubs7@msn.com
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2004
    thanks everyone!!! i finally got it figured out!!

    special thanks to ginipig!
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