Google Earth and ia32-libs
I recently installed Linux Mint 16 [Petra] RC [64 bit Cinnamon edition] and came across a problem. This may have been due to the release not being complete, but a search showed that this is quite a common problem.
[Note: since I wrote this piece the final version of Cinnamon was released and it was fixed]
When I tried to install Google Earth I was informed that a dependency – ia32.libs wasn't met, and the installation failed.
Naturally I tried installing the missing library, but apparently it has been depreciated.
Time for a workaround.
I first ensured that libc6:i386 lsb-core were both installed.
Next I downloaded the latest package from Google - google-earth-stable_current_amd64.deb into my Download folder. I created a sub-folder "GoogleEarth" and using Archive Manager I extracted the contents of the DEB file into GoogleEarth.
I then opened the file GoogleEarth/DEBIAN/control in a text editor and removed the following line
Depends: lsb-core (>= 3.2), ia32-libs [Line 7]
I then created a new package using the command dpkg -b GoogleEarth/ [from within my Download folder].
It took a while, but that created a new file in Downloads called GoogleEarth.deb.
Install that using GDebi Package Installer, and away she goes!
Thank you very much. I am so please that I got to your web site.
I've been meaning to tell you that this guide of yours came in real handy for installing Google Earth on the 64-bit RC. You probably already know this but for the final release of Linux Mint 16 64-bit, the Mint developers included "ia32-libs" in their own repositories since Ubuntu decided to ditch the package from their repos. Google Earth installed without needing the hack in the final. Nice to know you can hack it though.
The post should still be handy then for anyone who is stuck with Ubuntu?!
Absolutely!
Hi, I ve been trying about a month to install google earth with no luck. I ve tried everything I could find on web. Then I got on your site and, honestly, I didn't expect this simple hack to work but… it did! Thx a lot! (Linux Mint 16 Petra Cinnamon 64bit)
Awesome. You saved my day!!! 🙂
Thanks for this.