Re: [cobalt-users] Problem installing package component

["Steve Werby" <steve-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Andy Brown" <andy.brown@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> <snip>
> > I have the pkg file in the /home/packages directory and when
> > I try to install it I get the error message "Problem
> > installing package component: glibc-2.1.3-21.i386.rpm".  If I
> > ignore this update, the next OS upgrade requires the
> > installation of this pkg or it fails.  Can I do this from the
> > command prompt manually?  Any clues as to why I receive this error?
> </snip>
>
> Hi Rob,
>
> It sounds like either an install of the RPM has failed previously, or
> somehow you've already got it installed.

To me, it sounds like it couldn't install that RPM right now, not at some
point in the past.

> SSH into your box and type in:
> rpm -q glibc
> It should then return your glibc version installed on the system, if the
> version shown is LESS or EQUAL to that of the one its trying to install
> then it will fail.

Actually, I think that's incorrect.  The RPM is trying to upgrade glibc.
The RPM is an upgrade to glibc-2.1.3-21.  If it fails, it could be because
it's already installed, it could be because it has a dependency that's not
installed or it could be something in a script in the RPM is choking on
something.  In any case, to check the version of glibc you currently have I
recommend doing:

rpm -qa | grep -i glibc

And in general, to check whether a program or library has been installed by
an RPM:

rpm -qa | grep -i <phrase> (the -i is important, it makes the search
case-insensitive)

If the RPM is already installed, you have a few choices.  1. rpm -e
packagename to delete it, then re-install the PKG.  2. Unpack the PKG,
remove the offending RPM, rebuild the PKG list and rebuild the PKG, then
re-install it (might sound scary, but it's not if you know what you're
doing, definitely not beginner level).  If those options fail, you really
need to inspect the PKG contents, including lines in scripts run by the PKG
to see what's causing the problem.  If you're comfortable doing that or
you're not capable, there are people on this list, including me, who can
provide professional assistance and Cobalt Professional Services may be of
assistance as well.

HTH,

--
Steve Werby
President, Befriend Internet Services LLC
http://www.befriend.com/