Description of problem: redhat-install-packages fails if it can't find an install tree - either on a mounted CD, via the comps package, or trought the --tree argument. A "single package" installer should require nothing but the packages being installed, IMO. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): 1.1.8-1 How reproducible: Every time Steps to Reproduce: 1. Make sure there is no Red Hat dist CD in the drive. 2. rpm -e comps 3. redhat-install-packages <rpm files> Actual results: Install Tree Not Found The path /mnt/cdrom does not look like a valid installation source Expected results: Installer GUI opened Additional info: It doesn't look like the installer actually requires any of the files normally found on the install tree. I did something like: at > .discinfo <<EOF 9999999999.999999 Fake Dist $MACHTYPE 1 base . pixmaps EOF redhat-install-packages --tree=. $* in a script, and the GUI started as expected. Also note that as far as I can tell, "comps" is always present after a fresh install of RHL 9, but it is not included when upgrading from version 7.x.
Obviously, there is a missing character in the command included above - you want "cat > .discinfo", not "at > .discinfo" Also, it turns out that my statement about the install tree isn't entirely true. If the packages specified are installable and all requirements are met, only .discinfo is needed, but if there are unresolved dependencies in the package set, the installer will fail horribly unless base/comps.xml and the hdlist files are also present. Also, in that case, "--tree=." won't work, either; apparently, an absolute path is required for comps.xml to be found, so you need "--tree=`pwd`" or similar.
This report is filed against a product which is no longer supported. It is very likely that the problem is resolved in the current version of Fedora Core or scheduled to be resolved with the new system-config-packages scheduled to land in Fedora Core 5.