where did rpm go?

[abbey <abbey abbeyink com>]

I used to have 7.2, borked it and then installed 8.0 (did not upgrade).

All was apparently well, except when I tried to install other rpms.

rpm -ivh <package>
nothing happens, the cursor just sits

tried package manager and it starts to load the headers and then dies. nothing 
happens.

tried rpm -qa

nothing.

Any ideas? clues??