This runinstaller issue mentioned above is a documented "issue" (ahem) on Oracle's support site metalink. Don't know what they'd think of me posting this, but here's their official word on the thing. I ran into the same thing here, but since I have access to Oracle support through my employer, I just did a quick search. I still had some error messages from the root.sh, but I don't think they look life threatening. Hope this is useful:
fact: Oracle Universal Installer 8.1.7
fact: Intel Based Server LINUX
symptom: Runinstaller hangs at startup
cause: Redhat 7.1 uses newer libraries as Oracle 8.1.7 is developed with
and therefore needs a downgrade of the involved parts
fix:
To solve the initial problem of the not starting OUI you need to install the
following patches available at the Redhat 7.1 CDs or from www.redhat.com
compat-glibc-6.2-2.1.3.2.i386.rpm (CD1)
compat-egcs-6.2-1.1.2.14.i386.rpm (CD2)
compat-libs-6.2-3.i386.rpm (CD2)
Once these patches have been installed, open new session as the oracle OS user
and type the following:
Export LD_ASSUME_KERNEL=2.2.5
Then run the following shell script:
i386-glibc21-linux-env.sh (this can be found at /usr/i386-glibc21-linux/bin)
Now you should be able to run the OUI correctly.
When choosing your installation options do not check the OUI to create a
database.The relink fails within the installation procedure due to <bug:1467074>
When the relink fails during installation press ignore. This will take you
to the Network Configuration screen. At this point you will have to close the
OUI as it will also fail due to the relink problem.
You need to apply patch for <bug:1467074> ( as the oracle OS user)
Now you should be able to run all Oracle executables
relink utilities additionally
You will also have to put LD_ASSUME_KERNEL=2.2.5 in the profile
of the oracle OS user. So you are able to run the programs like dbassist , netca
and dbastudio
