Problems installing CPAN Modules

Question

i'm having loads of problem in trying to install CPAN Modules. Using the cpan.exe, I try to install a module with, for example, "install Win32::IE::Mecahnize" but I end up hitting a wall. In the beginning it find dmake.EXE and is okay, but when the install finishes it says dmake.exe is NOT OK, and Dmake.exe Error code 255 , while making 'test-dynamic'.

I'm very confused as to what is happening and why its not working?? Help is much appreciated.

This is the current error I get:
dmake.EXE: Error code 255, while making 'test_dynamic' C:\strawberry\c\bin\dmake.EXE test -- NOT OK
Running make install
make test had returned bad status, won't install without force
ABELTJE/Win32-IE-Mechanize-0.009.tar.gz : make_text NO

Answer 1

It's not your fault. That module doesn't work for anyone. When you run into a failure with a module, investigate it to see if other people are having problems. You can look on its CPAN Search page to see that there are no passing testers reports for that distribution. That distribution should not install without force. We cover some of this in Effective Perl Programming's section on researching modules.

Can you install other modules without a problem?

Answer 2

ya, well here's the thing, I have both ActivePerl and Strawberry Perl installed, is that a problem?

Shouldn't be an issue. However, you need to make sure that Strawberry Perl's distro contains the binaries and libraries you need to build and install non-text only modules. You need to make sure you're using Strawberry Perl's stuff and not ActivePerl. I recommend putting Strawberry Perl in your PATH, but not ActivePerl.

Easiest thing to do is not use CPAN, but ActivePerl's own PPM manager. ActivePerl has probably prebuilt about 90% of the CPAN modules and have them available via their PPM manager. Try that.