Can't install from *.deb

[bobpaul]

I've noticed this issue quite frequently, and it's starting to bug me. Here's an example.

I have a newly flashed, factory state n800. I connect it with USB to my PC and manually download XTerm from the repository (http://repository.maemo.org/dists/bora/free/binary-armel/) and save it to the memory card. App manager complains of depends (libncurses, and others). So I download those from the same repository and all 3 depends state "Unable to install. Incompatible application package." The MD5 sum checked out, so I know my PC isn't mangling the package.

Also, I know if I setup the repository and install that way, it will work because I've done that. Right now, however, I have no wireless access so I have to manually download. What might be causing this?

[TA-t3]

How did you try to install the packages? I installed some .debs manually, with 'dpkg -i <filename>.deb' from an xterm command line. Worked without problems. I realize you may be in a catch-22 here, because you would need xterm and becomeroot installed already in order to use dpkg -i, and you listed xterm as one of those packages you want to install..

[aflegg]

The dependencies won't be in the "user" section, so the application manager will refuse to install them directly (unless you are in Red Pill Mode). These packages are designed *only* to be installed automatically as dependencies of a larger package, in this case XTerm.

If offline install is a critical use-case for you, you'll need to enable "Red Pill Mode", or use the command line to install them.

HTH,

Andrew

[bobpaul]

Thanks Aflegg, that worked perfectly.