14.11. Error
Messages During Installation of RPMs
How do I install an RPM from a CD or the
Internet? I keep getting an error message when I use RPM.
If you are getting an error message similar to failed to open /var/lib/rpm/packages.rpm, it
is because you do not have proper permission to install RPM
files.
When you install software, you are often required to make
system-wide changes which only root can make, such as creating new
directories outside of your home directory or making changes to
your system configuration. If you are using your normal user
account, you do not have permission to make such changes by
default.
You need to be the root user to install RPM files. At a shell
prompt, switch to the root user by running the following
command:
After entering the root password when prompted, you should then
be able to install the RPM file without further errors. For more
information about using RPM and Package
Management Tool, refer to the Red Hat
Enterprise Linux System Administration Guide on the Red Hat
Enterprise Linux Documentation CD or online at https://www.redhat.com/docs/.
