Hi Everyone,

I'm having a hard time trying to install a package I downloaded because Mac OS X's graphical installer keeps quitting. So, does anybody know how to install a .mpkg through Terminal?

The name of the package is 'geforce 5200 installer .mpkg'

How can I install that through Terminal?

Thanks for any assistance provided.

installer -pkg <package name>

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for your quick response, and sorry for my late reply.

I tried your suggestion, but I'm receiving the following error:
"Error -target parameter required to install"

The package is store in the Documents folder, it seems that the command cannot locate it. I renamed the package to geforce.mpkg

I typed, installer -pkg /Users/andredacosta/Documents/geforce.mpkg/

Hit Enter, but I still get the error

The installer suggested the following: -pkg <pathToPackage> -target <mountPoint>

The name of the hard disk I'm installing it on is Macintosh HD, could the spacing causing a problem?

Hi, you could try installer -pkg <Drag package here> -target <either / if its the boot volume, or drag volume icon here>

Both times it should copy the direct location, saving typing, make sure you put a space before each so it doesnt do this "-pkg~/blah" .

Tried your suggest, getting 'Command Not Found' error

I wish someone could use my info to give me a straight forward suggestion or possible answer.

The location of the package is in: Documents - geforce.mpkg
I want to install this on the volume: Macintosh HD
I want to install it through Terminal because the graphical installer is malfunctioning and quitting when I launch the package.

should I type: -pkg /Users/andredacosta/documents/geforce.mpkg/ Macintosh/ HD/
or: -pkg /Users/andredacosta/documents/geforce.mpkg/ -target /Macintosh/ HD/

None which work, but is showing a real world example.

I appreciate all the help, but I just wish the answers were a bit more detailed and focused. A real world example is amazing at getting things done.

Put it this way, I want to put that package on the desktop, I would say, click the Package once to select, on the Menu bar, click Edit > select Desktop in Finder Sidebar > click Edit > Paste item.

use Pacifist

according to the man page here are several examples

EXAMPLES
installer -volinfo -pkg InstallMe.pkg

installer -pkginfo -pkg DeveloperTools.mpkg

installer -pkg OSInstall.mpkg -target / -lang en

installer -pkg DeveloperTools.mpkg -target /

installer -pkg InstallMe.pkg -target "/Volumes/Macintosh HD2"

installer -pkg InstallMe.pkg -file /tmp/InstallConfigFile

It also says if the package requires authentication, you have to run the command with sudo.

I would do these commands in this order as it looks like the package has to be in the current directory.

cd ~/Where/Package/is
sudo installer -pkg <Package> -target <volume>

I hope this helps

Hey BlackShadowWolf,

Thanks for all your effort, but none of the above commands worked. Command not found error, specify path to package errors.

I just wish people could put their selves in front of my computer, understand that the package, 'geforce.mpkg' is on the hard disk 'Macintosh HD', how in heavens name do I install this through Terminal?

I logged into Terminal as root: sudo -s
enter password

Then I'm at a lost, if I were Apple, I would scrap Terminal and license DOS or Command Prompt from Windows, because its such an illogical command shell that requires a Rocket Science PHD to get something to work.

I'm going to see what this Pacifist is going to do.



Hey BlackShadowWolf,

Thanks for all your effort, but none of the above commands worked. Command not found error, specify path to package errors.

I just wish people could put their selves in front of my computer, understand that the package, 'geforce.mpkg' is on the hard disk 'Macintosh HD', how in heavens name do I install this through Terminal?

I logged into Terminal as root: sudo -s
enter password

Then I'm at a lost, if I were Apple, I would scrap Terminal and license DOS or Command Prompt from Windows, because its such an illogical command shell that requires a Rocket Science PHD to get something to work.

I'm going to see what this Pacifist is going to do.

Wow, MrDee, that is just... wow... License Dos for OS X... I think I just threw up a little.

Bash lets you do EVERYTHING in the OS, including doing things like open iTunes, give them the following files, convert them to this new format, and then quit.

Given that you can not install something through the "Installer" app, nor through the installer command, it looks like your hard idisk may have become corrupted. Maybe open disk utility and do a repair on your drive.

If that doesn't work, then you may want to look at backing up your stuff and reinstalling because that is in no way normal.

Ok, Pacifist did the job, but now, OS X won't boot, will have to try Repair Disk to see if I can get it booting again or download a new updated build and install it. Hope it does not kill my Windows installations, although I notice that OS X makes nice with Vista boot managers.

Again everybody, thank you for all your help, this definitely a community.

did you try:

make sure you are in the right folder before doing this.
$ and # symbolise your user rights. you dont need to type them in your terminal.

OK, here is the easiest way I've found, but I can't guarantee it works for everything (but I can guarantee it doesn't use any additional software):

1. Show the package contents and navigate to the archive file (it should be zipped or gzipped or something)

2. Drag it out to somewhere else while holding down the option (alt) key. This makes a copy and doesn't ruin the original package.

3. Open the copied file.

4. Follow the folder paths on your hard drive. Example: application folders will have their contents in the applications folder. Things that you don't know about most likely belong in the library folder (not system library or user library). Just follow the folder paths and then drop them in.

5. RESTART your Mac and hopefully, things work fine.

Spaces in filenames are rapresented with \ so be carefull to put it in or rename your package to something without spaces in filename...
For example geforce\5200\installer.mpkg

sudo installer -pkg /Users/andredacosta/documents/geforce.mpkg -target /

would be ok...