note flexvault <a href="http://www.perlmonks.org/?node_id=941553">perl514</a>, It is very easy to install multiple copies of Perl on *nix boxes. I usually have 3 to 5 versions depending on how old the computer is. Download from CPAN the version you want. I do the following system commands after verifying the checksum: <code> gzip -d perl-5.14.2.tar.gz tar -xf perl-5.14.2.tar # This creates a new directory perl-5.14.2 cd perl-5.14.2 ./Configure -des -Dprefix=/usr/opt/perl_5_14_2 # directory should be unique and already exist make make test make install # This will install to /usr/opt/perl_5_14_2 ln -s /usr/opt/perl_5_14_2/bin/perl /usr/local/bin/myperl </code> This should generate a new and totally different Perl from the system Perl. To test that everything works, just type <code> myperl -V # you can call it anything, but I recommend having perl in the name </code> Some things to keep in mind. <ul> <li>If you need CPAN modules, they have to be installed with 'myperl'. The libraries are totally separate from the system libraries. <li>Do not change the default Perl. I usually do a symbolic link to the system perl in '/usr/local/bin/perl -> [system perl]. This will give an error message if I try to re-link the default perl. <li>If you want the additional features for your custom Perl, read about all the options in 'Configure'. Also the Configure options are shown in all versions of perl by doing 'perl -V;grep "config_args"' which will show you how the system Perl was built. <li>Hint: If you need or use other Perl commands, then I usually do a symbolic link to them. But remember, if you have multiple Perls, you will have to re-link the commands to get the correct version. <li>Hint2: If you have multiple cores, do the 'make' first, and then do the 'make test' as I showed here, otherwise you may test something before it's compiled. <li>Hint3: From the problems you're having, maybe re-install the operating system before doing these steps. Or try this first and if you still have problems, then re-install the system. All of my laptops have *nix and windows both with out a problem. It's easier than trying to have multiple newer *nixes on 1 box :-) </ul> You'll never again be limited by the Perl that ships with the *nix! I did this from memory, so if you find something that works differently, I'll check it, and update the documentation or at least mark it as system dependent. Good Luck! <div class="pmsig"><div class="pmsig-733061"> "Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin </div></div> 1004406 1004406