16.2. 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 user home directory or making changes to
your system configuration. If you are using your normal user account,
you will not have permission to make such changes by default.
You need to be the root user in order 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 Linux Customization Guide on the Red Hat Linux Documentation
CD or online at https://www.redhat.com/docs/.
