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    Can't install/upgrade software

    I had originally posted this on Ubuntu forums but I guess it's better here since I run Kubuntu.

    Here is the background.

    I have tried out Linux a couple times over the years but never made it. I'm a Windows power user running lots of apps. However I think now is the time iI'll be able to switch permanently.

    I have installed Kubuntu 7.04 on my 4-year old Dell Inspiron 5150 laptop in a dual-boot setup alongside Win XP. The news OS is so fast and I find easy to use, I already know how to do most basic operations, install programs etc. Anyway I'm still stuck with one major problem.

    First let me assure you I spent several hours on these forums and googling before posting this.

    When I tried to install any programs, let's say Firefox as an example, I get the error message below.
    Code:
    username@dell-laptop:~$ sudo apt-get install firefox
    Reading package lists... Done
    Building dependency tree
    Reading state information... Done
    The following extra packages will be installed:
     libnspr4 libnss3
    Suggested packages:
     firefox-gnome-support latex-xft-fonts firefox-libthai
    The following NEW packages will be installed:
     firefox libnspr4 libnss3
    0 upgraded, 3 newly installed, 0 to remove and 83 not upgraded.
    Need to get 10.2MB of archives.
    After unpacking 31.5MB of additional disk space will be used.
    Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
    Get:1 [url]http://security.ubuntu.com[/url] feisty-security/main libnspr4 2:1.firefox2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1 [162kB]
    Get:2 [url]http://security.ubuntu.com[/url] feisty-security/main libnss3 2:1.firefox2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1 [802kB]
    Get:3 [url]http://security.ubuntu.com[/url] feisty-security/main firefox 2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1 [9262kB]
    Fetched 10.2MB in 32s (311kB/s)
    dpkg-deb: subprocess tar killed by signal (Segmentation fault), core dumped
    dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/libnspr4_2%3a1.firefox2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb (--unpack):
     subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2
    dpkg-deb: subprocess tar killed by signal (Segmentation fault), core dumped
    dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/libnss3_2%3a1.firefox2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb (--unpack):
     subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2
    dpkg-deb: subprocess tar killed by signal (Segmentation fault), core dumped
    dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/firefox_2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb (--unpack):
     subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2
    Errors were encountered while processing:
     /var/cache/apt/archives/libnspr4_2%3a1.firefox2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
     /var/cache/apt/archives/libnss3_2%3a1.firefox2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
     /var/cache/apt/archives/firefox_2.0.0.5+1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
    E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
    I'm not sure if that's helpful but trying out this command:
    Code:
    tar -v
    I got this message:
    Code:
    Segmentation fault (core dumped)
    That gave me the idea of uninstalling and reinstalling tar but the OS gave a stern warning that this could be very destructive so I backed out and decided to ask you guys for help.

    I'm a complete Linux newbie but I think if you help me get off the ground, I'll become a regular user and won't look back.

    What do you think is this problem about? How can I fix it?


    #2
    Re: Can't install/upgrade software

    Originally posted by alles_klar
    I had originally posted this on Ubuntu forums but I guess it's better here since I run Kubuntu.
    we're just better over here, period.

    Originally posted by alles_klar
    The new OS is so fast and I find easy to use, I already know how to do most basic operations,
    install programs etc.
    good. well done. i like that.

    Originally posted by alles_klar
    Anyway I'm still stuck with one major problem...
    alright, first things first...

    pls, open up a konsole (widen it as much as you can), issue the following commands and post the result back here:

    Code:
    df -h
    i'd like to double check your disk usage.

    Code:
    cat /etc/apt/sources.list
    i'd like to see what repositories are configured.

    Code:
    dpkg-query -l '*tar*'
    i'd like to see what is installed with respect to tar


    then the cavalry will come in and help...rest sure of that.
    cheers.
    gnu/linux is not windoze

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Can't install/upgrade software

      My (1.) guess:

      Code:
      sudo apt-get install --reinstall tar

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Can't install/upgrade software

        Hello Jankushka,

        Very nice of you to help out.

        Originally posted by jankushka
        Originally posted by alles_klar
        Anyway I'm still stuck with one major problem...
        alright, first things first...

        pls, open up a konsole (widen it as much as you can), issue the following commands and post the result back here:

        Code:
        df -h
        i'd like to double check your disk usage.
        I guess the drive/partition is not too big because I'm using a dual boot. I kept all my Windows programs/date for now
        Code:
        Filesystem      Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
        /dev/sda3       13G 2.2G 10G 18% /
        varrun        506M 96K 506M 1% /var/run
        varlock       506M  0 506M 0% /var/lock
        procbususb      506M 120K 506M 1% /proc/bus/usb
        udev         506M 120K 506M 1% /dev
        devshm        506M  0 506M 0% /dev/shm
        lrm         506M 33M 473M 7% /lib/modules/2.6.20-15-generic/volatile
        /dev/sda1       32M 6.8M 25M 22% /media/sda1
        /dev/sda2       58G 40G 19G 69% /media/sda2
        /dev/sda6      2.0G 126M 1.9G 7% /share
        Originally posted by jankushka
        Code:
        cat /etc/apt/sources.list
        i'd like to see what repositories are configured.
        Code:
        # See [url]http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes[/url] for how to upgrade to
        # newer versions of the distribution.
        
        deb [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty main restricted
        deb-src [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty main restricted
        
        ## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
        ## distribution.
        deb [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty-updates main restricted
        deb-src [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty-updates main restricted
        
        ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
        ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
        ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
        ## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
        ## team.
        deb [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty universe
        deb-src [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty universe
        
        ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
        ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
        ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
        ## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
        ## security team.
        deb [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty multiverse
        deb-src [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty multiverse
        
        ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports'
        ## repository.
        ## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
        ## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
        ## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
        ## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
        ## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
        # deb [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
        # deb-src [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/[/url] feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
        
        deb [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] feisty-security main restricted
        deb-src [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] feisty-security main restricted
        deb [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] feisty-security universe
        deb-src [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] feisty-security universe
        deb [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] feisty-security multiverse
        deb-src [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] feisty-security multiverse
        Originally posted by jankushka
        Code:
        dpkg-query -l '*tar*'
        i'd like to see what is installed with respect to tar
        Code:
        @dell-laptop:~$ dpkg-query -l '*tar*'
        Desired=Unknown/Install/Remove/Purge/Hold
        | Status=Not/Installed/Config-files/Unpacked/Failed-config/Half-installed
        |/ Err?=(none)/Hold/Reinst-required/X=both-problems (Status,Err: uppercase=bad)
        ||/ Name            Version           Description
        +++-===========================-===========================-======================================================================
        un guitar           <none>           (no description available)
        ii libstartup-notification0  0.9-1            library for program launch feedback (shared library)
        un oooqstart-gnome       <none>           (no description available)
        un ooqstart-gnome       <none>           (no description available)
        ii startup-tasks        0.3.8-1           definitions of essential tasks to run on startup
        ii tar             1.16-2           GNU tar
        ii upstart           0.3.8-1           event-based init daemon
        ii upstart-compat-sysv     0.3.8-1           compatibility for System-V-like init
        ii upstart-logd        0.3.8-1           boot logging daemon
        Originally posted by jankushka
        then the cavalry will come in and help...rest sure of that.
        cheers.
        Thanks a lot for your time and for the positive tone of your message.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Can't install/upgrade software

          Originally posted by UnicornRider
          My (1.) guess:
          Code:
          sudo apt-get install --reinstall tar
          Thanks UnicorRider for your help. I guess I'm waiting to hear more from Jan before implementing your suggestion.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Can't install/upgrade software

            Originally posted by alles_klar
            sudo apt-get install --reinstall tar
            Just to put that straight: "install --reinstall" does not equal "remove && install".

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Can't install/upgrade software

              so alles_klar...
              your disks look ok.
              so does the lists of repositories.
              you could perhaps replace security.ubuntu.com with de.archive.ubuntu.com.
              but that's nothing to do with your issue here
              dpkg-query reports the correct tar package is installed.

              so, everything seems to be ok, which makes things pretty interesting...

              first, try unicornrider's suggestion.
              unicornrider is the cavalry here...


              meanwhile we'll try and come up with something...


              ps:
              i'm sure i've seen this already some where, some time...
              perhaps...
              what's the output of the following:
              Code:
              tar --version
              grep --version
              sort --version
              bzip2 --version
              gnu/linux is not windoze

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                Originally posted by jankushka
                unicornrider is the cavalry here...
                Mumble, mumble ... where is my gun ...

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                  Hi folks,

                  Thanks again for following up. Here are the results of your suggested commands:

                  1) $ sudo apt-get install --reinstall tar
                  Code:
                  Password:
                  Reading package lists... Done
                  Building dependency tree
                  Reading state information... Done
                  0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 reinstalled, 0 to remove and 83 not upgraded.
                  Need to get 321kB of archives.
                  After unpacking 0B of additional disk space will be used.
                  Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
                  Get:1 [url]http://de.archive.ubuntu.com[/url] feisty/main tar 1.16-2 [321kB]
                  Fetched 321kB in 1s (243kB/s)
                  dpkg-deb: subprocess tar killed by signal (Segmentation fault), core dumped
                  dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/tar_1.16-2_i386.deb (--unpack):
                   subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2
                  Errors were encountered while processing:
                   /var/cache/apt/archives/tar_1.16-2_i386.deb
                  E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
                  2) $ tar --version
                  Code:
                  Segmentation fault (core dumped)
                  3) $ grep --version
                  Code:
                  grep (GNU grep) 2.5.1
                  
                  Copyright 1988, 1992-1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
                  This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO
                  warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
                  4) $ sort --version
                  Code:
                  sort (GNU coreutils) 5.97
                  Copyright (C) 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
                  This is free software. You may redistribute copies of it under the terms of
                  the GNU General Public License <[url]http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>[/url].
                  There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
                  
                  Written by Mike Haertel and Paul Eggert.
                  and 5) $ bzip2 --version
                  Code:
                  bzip2, a block-sorting file compressor. Version 1.0.3, 15-Feb-2005.
                  
                   Copyright (C) 1996-2005 by Julian Seward.
                  
                   This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
                   it under the terms set out in the LICENSE file, which is included
                   in the bzip2-1.0 source distribution.
                  
                   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
                   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
                   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
                   LICENSE file for more details.
                  I hope this helps.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                    I would remove and reinstall the packages "dpkg" and "dpkg-dev", just on the chance that there's something snarfed up in the package manager, that is causing the trouble with tar.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                      well, at least we can safely say that problem is confined to tar.
                      i had you try a couple of other gnu core utilities and they all seem to be alright.
                      bzip2 has nothing to do with the core utils and it was only just in case all the others dumped core.
                      to see if it was a gnu utils issue.
                      it doesn't seem to be.

                      Originally posted by dibl
                      I would remove and reinstall the packages "dpkg" and "dpkg-dev", just on the chance that there's something snarfed up in the package manager, that is causing the trouble with tar.
                      dibl, are you sure you can then install them again if you remove them?
                      we wouldn't want alles_klar lock himself out without any keys, or would we?
                      i honestly don't know...

                      alles_klar, some more investigation...

                      Code:
                      which tar
                      should give you
                      /bin/tar
                      if it does (i'm pretty sure it does), checksum it and compare it with mine/ours:
                      $> md5sum /bin/tar
                      d27ebfdd7e2c4be4a5163d4f2e923186 /bin/tar
                      cheers
                      gnu/linux is not windoze

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                        Originally posted by jankushka
                        dibl, are you sure you can then install them again if you remove them?
                        we wouldn't want alles_klar lock himself out without any keys, or would we?
                        i honestly don't know...
                        Right on Jan. I'm locked out!!! :-(

                        First I thought dibl might be joking but then I saw his number of posts and kudos points, so I went for it before seeing your message, Jan.

                        Well, that command removed so many things. It's a whole new ballgame now. Should I reinstall Kubuntu? Any other procedure? I have no clue on how to proceed from now on. I'm writing this from the Windows side of my laptop.


                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                          Originally posted by alles_klar
                          dibl might be joking
                          No joking on that one -- I looked in Synaptic and saw that those two items are listed as installed packages (I wasn't sure -- it seems like the Debian package manager is pretty integral to Ubuntu), so, I thought maybe there's a chance, although it sounds like self-brain surgery.

                          Sorry if it messed you up, although it sounds like your system has a pretty serious problem anyway .... :P

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                            Originally posted by dibl
                            Originally posted by alles_klar
                            dibl might be joking
                            No joking on that one -- I looked in Synaptic and saw that those two items are listed as installed packages (I wasn't sure -- it seems like the Debian package manager is pretty integral to Ubuntu), so, I thought maybe there's a chance, although it sounds like self-brain surgery.

                            Sorry if it messed you up, although it sounds like your system has a pretty serious problem anyway .... :P
                            No problems dibl, I know you meant well and I do appreciate every one trying hard in this thread. Of course I'm antsy to have my system working fine but I'm also ready to go through the process, whatever it takes.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Can't install/upgrade software

                              I'm afraid I'd be heading down the re-installation path, although it sure would be nice to know how the combination of tar and package manager got so dysfunctional. Did you observe anything strange, like a power interruption or something, around the time that it stopped working correctly?

                              Comment

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