[K12OSN] Corrupted RPM DB

[Angus Carr]

Here's an odd one for the list:

I have a corrupted RPM DB. I think it's getting in the way of my yum 
updates.

RPM operations fail. All of them.

I decided to try to correct the problem, following 
http://www.rpm.org/hintskinks/repairdb
rm  -f /var/lib/rpm/__db*
rpm --rebuilddb

The rm works, but the rebuilt db does not. It ends up flashing garbage 
to the terminal.

Any clues or suggestions?

Angus Carr.