A probably simple problem with installing .bin files

[Shaneo]

I am sure my problem is easy to rectify however I have googled this problem and searched through the forum to no avail.

My problem is, as the heading indicates, installing .bin files. I have used the command "chmod +x file.bin && ./file.bin" and also attempted to play around with the directory but I'm stumped as everything I do gives a response similar to "chmod: cannot access `jre-6u2-linux-i586.bin': No such file or directory"
Is my problem that the file saved to the desktop or am I on the completely wrong path?

I am brand new to linux and computing in general as, until two days ago, the only access I had to computers was at friends homes or limited use at work. Any tips, pointers or home visits will be greatly appreciated and if possible I will shower you in precious metals and good will (probably just good will).

[Freston]

Welcome!

First, sometimes I think it's easier to adjust to Linux if you have no prior experience on computers. That way you're not hindered by thinking you know how to do something when in fact you don't.

But the output you're getting surprises me. So either the problem is really easy to fix, or very complex. It should be easy.

Here is someone trying to accomplish the same. And having it explained, and succeeding. There is hope for you yet



Feel free to ask clarification here if the above link doesn't give you the solution, or raises questions.

[Shaneo]

Thank you but I still come up against similar responses. A friend, the one that put me onto Linux, has suggested re-installing the distro however she is less then patient and not the best teacher.
Do you think if I started from scratch again I would have an easier time?

[Thrillhouse]

Are you sure you're executing the chmod command from the directory where the .bin file is located? That might be a stupid question but we should get the stupid questions out of the way before we complicate ourselves with the more difficult questions.

Also, posting the exact commands you're running along with the output will help us a lot.

[Shaneo]

Ah Thrillhouse, If I knew how to locate the file I might be able to give you an answer. As I said I am pretty much brand new to computing so I'm spending most of my time trying to understand tutorials and watching other threads to see if there are any useful tit bits.

All I can tell you really is that the file saved to the desktop. I know its there because I can see it but when I use the terminal to try and locate it I get a " No such file or directory" response. I have followed the tutorials to letter but still no joy. I am beginning to believe I was dropped on my head when I was a child.

By the way, screw you for choosing a cool name and picture. I'll show you, I'll show you all.

[Thrillhouse]

OK, if it's on your desktop, try running these commands from the terminal:

cd ~/Desktop
chmod +x jre-6u2-linux-i586.bin
./jre-6u2-linux-i586.bin

The first command changes your directory from the default /home/username to /home/username/Desktop (where your file is located). The second command changes the permissions of the file to allow you to execute it and the third command runs the binary file.

You can verify that the file is indeed located on the Desktop by running the ls command after the first command I listed. If you see jre-6u2-linux-i586.bin in the output then you should have no problems. Good luck.

[oz]

Won't he need to use sudo in front of that command since he's using Ubuntu?

[Thrillhouse]

Won't he need to use sudo in front of that command since he's using Ubuntu?

I don't think so. I just tried it (albeit on Arch) and everything went fine. I guess he would have to if he was installing it anywhere outside of ~.

[oz]

Yeah, I'm not really sure about it at all because I don't use JRE.

So none of the JRE files are written to system directories?

In my opinion, Ubuntu using sudo by default causes quite a bit of confusion within the Linux world.

[Thrillhouse]

I think he's probably following an outdated tutorial or a tutorial intended for another distribution. According to this, the Java JRE and SDK can both be installed with apt-get. I don't see why anyone would recommend doing otherwise.