[vox-tech] Fwd: Trouble installing Matlab in Debian

[Alex Mandel]

Bill Kendrick wrote:
> Thomas posted this from a non-subscribed address, so the mailman list admin
> software discarded it.  (Thomas, you need to be subscribed before you can
> post :) -- and nice meeting you at the social gathering last night!)
> 
> -bill!
> 
> ----- Forwarded message from vox-tech-bounces at lists.lugod.org -----
> 
> Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 07:26:52 -0700
> From: Thomas Johnston <trjohnston at gmail.com>
> Subject: Trouble installing Matlab in Debian
> To: vox-tech at lists.lugod.org
> 
> I attended the LUGOD social gathering yesterday evening and
> some of the members suggested I pitch my question here.
> 
> I converted to Linux (Debian lenny) about 1 week ago and attempted to
> install Matlab.  I have an ISO of the Matlab CD on my hard drive.  I
> mount the ISO and attempt to install the software by issuing the
> command:
> 
> sh install
> 
> The error that is generated reads:
> 
> An error status was returned by the program 'xsetup', the X Window
> System version of 'install'. The following messages were written to
> standard error:
> 
> No protocol specified
> Can't open display.
> 
> Attempt to fix the problem and try again.  If X is not available or
> 'xsetup' cannot be made to work then try the terminal version of
> 'install' using the command:
> 
> install* -t or INSTALL* -t
> 
> Sorry! Setup aborted ...
> 
> 
> yes, the install attempt was done while under root.  I could a
> relevant fix via a Google search nor in the archived tech messages on
> this mailing list.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Thomas
> 
> "Speak slowly, I am windows user."
> 
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> 

I had a similar issue with the Oracle installer.
I believe the solution was to disable the xhost security with:
sudo xhost+
then change to root
sudo su
sh install

Alex