installing and configuring .tgz files

[Lancer_007]

I just started using linux and I know that this is a simple problem. I want to install a divx player and I already downloaded it. When I get to the step where I have to type ./configure, it says that there is no directory or something like that. Will someone send me an e-mail or post something, basically holding my hand and walking me through this installation, please

[bsh152s]

Post exactly what you type and the exact results and we would be glad to help.

[Jo.Mo.]

well, first off, did you untar/zip it? second, what is the player, that would help extremly to tell us that. feel free to AIM me, i'll help ya out, my handle is in my profile.

[Lancer_007]

OK, I installed the software from the Divx site. It is named divx4linux-std-20030428.tar.gz. I don't know anything about linux, so I searched the web for directions on how to install this type of file. I found some directions and followed them exactly. I opened a terminal and typed tar xvzf pkg.tar.gz. I then got a list of files. I changed the directory by typing cd divx4linux-20030428. The next step was to read any readme or install files that came with the package. I did it, but I don't understand them. I then tried to type ./configure and I got bash: ./configure: No such file or directory. So now I'm stuck

[JamminJoeyB]

What distro are you running?

Could be you didn't install the development packages.

[mdwatts]

Not all source packages use the usual ./configure, make & make install. You should review the install doc again to find out what the exact steps are for compiling and installing the package. Some just use make and make install.

http://justlinux.com/nhf/Software/Compiling_Software.html is highly recommended reading.

[Lancer_007]

I've got Red Hat 9. I don't know about the packages, though. I installed everything that came with the package. Everything (about 5gigs worth).

[Lancer_007]

I looked at the doc and it still doesn't really help me. I can't get past the ./configure step.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Lancer_007
I looked at the doc and it still doesn't really help me. I can't get past the ./configure step.

Does it say to start with ./configure or just 'make'?

Post it here if not too long.

[Lancer_007]

After unzipping the package and changing the directory, it says I need to ./configure first, and then make, or make install. But everytime I type the ./configure command, it doesn't do the usual of a whole bunch of crap scrolling across the screen. It just sits there.

[bae127]

When you are in the directory "divx4linux-20030428" have you typed "ls" to see if the file "configure" exists?

If you are running RedHat, most vendors make RPM files. You should look for these because they are typically much easier to install than building the software from source code.

I think that this tar file may contain header files and not the program that you are looking for... make sure that there is a configure file in the directory. If the "configure" file does not exist, go back to the Divx site and make sure that you are downloading the correct package.

-Regards

[mdwatts]

It could be a corrupted package. Try downloading again, extract and then ./configure.