# Gem install -- need help

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/gem-install-need-help/60955>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [May 18, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/gem-install-need-help/60955 "2006-05-18T21:59:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/princenamor)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/gem-install-need-help/60955/1 "2006-05-18T21:59:50Z")

</div>

I am having problems trying to install new gems. Most notably, recently  
I have attempted to install the fcgi and the mysql gems. In both cases,  
I get the following error:

can’t find header files for ruby.  
ERROR: While executing gem … (RuntimeError)  
ERROR: Failed to build gem native extension.  
Gem files will remain installed in …

Can anyone shed any light on this issue? I have been stuck for a couple  
of days, and I would really like to get this fixed.

Thanks in advance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/princenamor)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/gem-install-need-help/60955/2 "2006-05-18T23:21:31Z")

</div>

Hi John ~

What platform are you using? Does running: ruby -v  
Display the version number?

~ Ben

On 5/18/06, John W. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> of days, and I would really like to get this fixed.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> –  
> Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/](http://www.ruby-forum.com/).
> 
> * * *
> 
> Rails mailing list  
> removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid  
> [http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails](http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails)

–  
Ben R.  
303-947-0446  
[http://www.benr75.com](http://www.benr75.com)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/princenamor)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/gem-install-need-help/60955/3 "2006-05-18T23:28:05Z")

</div>

What OS are you on? What reference are you using? I followed the  
instructions for mac os on apple  
developer site. There is no problem if you just follow the instructions.  
Now my Powerbook G4 is a  
screaming Rails machine.

— “John W.” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> of days, and I would really like to get this fixed.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> –  
> Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/](http://www.ruby-forum.com/).
> 
> * * *
> 
> Rails mailing list  
> removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid  
> [http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails](http://lists.rubyonrails.org/mailman/listinfo/rails)

[http://www.ProblemSolvingSkill.net](http://www.ProblemSolvingSkill.net)  
Hone your problem-solving skills

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@princenamor](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/princenamor)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/gem-install-need-help/60955/4 "2006-05-19T14:46:45Z")

</div>

After unstalling ruby/gem/rails and then reinstalling everything, It  
looks like gem is working. Thanks!

Bala P. wrote:

> What OS are you on? What reference are you using? I followed the  
> instructions for mac os on apple  
> developer site. There is no problem if you just follow the instructions.  
> Now my Powerbook G4 is a  
> screaming Rails machine.