I'm trying to install some package on linux from
read-only storage (pex, CD-ROM), and process has been
crashed. After copying first file from build/lib
directory I have error message.

I run setup script with command:

python setup.py install --skip-build -f --no-compile

Directory build/lib contain builded python scripts (and
extensions). If I try to install from hard disk -- all
OK. If try to install from read-only devices -- process
breaked.

I have this error message:

error:
/usr/lib/python2.4/site-package/module/__init__.py:
Invalid argument

Error message appear after successful copying file
__init__.py.

If copying directory with all files to install from
CD-ROM to hard drive and then launch setup.py, then it
is works fine.

Tested on:
* linux2 + python 2.3
* cygwin + python 2.4

On windows it is works OK.

With development of disutils2, distutils issues are not getting much separate attention.

Alexander, thank you for the report. I’m sorry there was no reply earlier. Distutils was without dedicated maintainer for a long time, now Tarek has taken it over and fixes bugs. He’s very busy these months, so I’ll investigate this later this month when I get some time. Thanks again!

Guidelines for someone wanting to make a patch: http://wiki.python.org/moin/Distutils/FixingBugs

I’m adding the easy keyword to let a sprinter or bug-day newcomer find this and write a test.  The fix itself may be more difficult, since the error message looks like it comes from a program called by distutils.