RPM broken after removing nss3

Question

I was trying to remove some unneeded packages from RPM and I removed nss-3.12.8 using the --force flag (stupid, I know). Now all RPM commands aside from --help return instantly and do nothing. I've tried -rebuilddb and that command does nothing as well. I'm at a loss as to how I can get rpm up and working again, please help!

Answer 1

My guess is you're screwed. However, here's what you can try:

1. Get a copy of nss RPMs. Probably both 32- and 64-bit if you're on the latter.
2. rpm2cpio nss.rpm | cpio -div from the root of the machine. That will put at least the libraries, etc. into the right places.
3. If you can now run rpm, re-install the RPMs. That way the DB will have it, and any pre/post scripts will execute.
4. Remember not to use --force again unless you really know it's OK.

If that doesn't work, you might be able to boot from a rescue CD and do the same from the mounted hard drive, e.g. /mnt/sysimage/.