DebuggingInstallationIssues

Differences between revisions 16 and 17

This page is part of the debugging series — pages with debugging details for a variety of Ubuntu packages.

Contents

Contents

Introduction
Known issues
Non-bugs
TODO

Introduction

This page lists some general issues that users might encounter while performing updates of their system. Apport will usually detect these failures and file a bug in Launchpad. These bugs can be identified by the bug tag 'apport-package' and can occur on nearly any package.

There are usually log file attached to the report which differs depending on the kind of install/upgrade:

Package install/upgrade: DpkgTerminalLog
Distribution upgrade: VarLogDistupgradeMain and VarLogDistupgradeApttermlog

Detailed informations about debugging updatemanager can be found at DebuggingUpdateManager.

Documented below are the most commonly reported issues. For each case there is a description and a sample report and when applicable there is a workaround or fix and the master report it should be marked a duplicate of.

Known issues

Corrupted package archive

These errors indicates a corrupted archive (.deb or files on disk) The root cause of the corruption may be a bad network connection, faulty hardware, hardware shutdown,...

For those report the common workaround and stock response is:

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that there was an error caused by a corrupted archive. Please execute the following commands, as it will clear your package cache, in a terminal ( Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal ) :

sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update

Then try performing the update again. This will likely resolve your issue. If so please set the bug's status to Invalid. Thanks in advance!

Not a Debian format archive

Bug : provide a master report

dpkg-deb: `/var/cache/apt/archives/libswscale0_4%3a0.5+svn20090706-2ubuntu2_i386.deb' is not a debian format archive 
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/libswscale0_4%3a0.5+svn20090706-2ubuntu2_i386.deb (--unpack): 
 subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2

Corrupted filesystem tarfile

Bug 320743

Unpacking libaccess-bridge-java (from .../libaccess-bridge-java_1.24.0-0ubuntu2_all.deb) ...
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/libaccess-bridge-java_1.24.0-0ubuntu2_all.deb (--unpack):
 corrupted filesystem tarfile - corrupted package archive
dpkg-deb: subprocess paste killed by signal (Broken pipe)

--fsys-tarfile

Bug : provide a master report

Unpacking replacement audacity-data ...
dpkg-deb: subprocess paste killed by signal (Broken pipe)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/audacity-data_1.3.7-2ubuntu1_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess dpkg-deb --fsys-tarfile returned error exit status 2
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/audacity-data_1.3.7-2ubuntu1_all.deb

short read - Input/output error

This either indicates no space left on hard disk, a faulty device or a corrupted archive

Bug : provide a master report

Unpacking linux-image-2.6.27-11-generic (from .../linux-image-2.6.27-11-generic_2.6.27-11.24_i386.deb) ...
Done.
dpkg-deb: subprocess paste killed by signal (Broken pipe)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/linux-image-2.6.27-11-generic_2.6.27-11.24_i386.deb (--unpack):
 short read in buffer_copy (backend dpkg-deb during `./lib/modules/2.6.27-11-generic/kernel/drivers/infiniband/core/ib_uverbs.ko')

Unpacking replacement libfreetype6 ...
dpkg-deb (subprocess): error in buffer_read(stream): failed to write to pipe in copy: Input/output error
dpkg-deb: subprocess paste returned error exit status 2
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/libfreetype6_2.3.9-4ubuntu0.1_i386.deb (--unpack):
 short read in buffer_copy (backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/libfreetype.so.6.3.20')

TODO: Not the standard workaround. Provide one.

Exec format error

During installation of a package

Setting up flashplugin-installer (10.0.32.18ubuntu1) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing flashplugin-installer (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2

During removal of a package

Removing gnome-do ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed pre-removal script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing gnome-do (--purge):
 subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 2

Workaround A: Finish the install

$ sudo apt-get clean
$ sudo aptitude download python-libvirt
$ sudo dpkg --unpack ./python-libvirt*.deb
$ sudo dpkg --configure python-libvirt

Workaround B: Remove the package and reinstall

$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/flashplugin-installer.{postinst,prerm,postrm}
$ sudo apt-get remove --purge flashplugin-installer
$ sudo apt-get clean
$ sudo apt-get update

Then reinstall the package

Note: Change the package by the one which failed (check the log file)

lzma : decoder error

Unpacking openjdk-6-jre-lib (from .../openjdk-6-jre-lib_6b12-0ubuntu6_all.deb) ...
lzma: Decoder error
dpkg-deb: subprocess <decompress> returned error exit status 1
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/openjdk-6-jre-lib_6b12-0ubuntu6_all.deb (--unpack):
 short read in buffer_copy (backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/jvm/java-6-openjdk/jre/lib/ext/localedata.jar')

files list file missing final newline / contains empty filename

Typically these errors take the form : files list file for package packagename contains empty filename or files list file for package packagename is missing final newline

* Bug 108189

Selecting previously deselected package linux-source-2.6.27.
(Reading database ... dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/linux-source-2.6.27_2.6.27-9.19_all.deb (--unpack):
 files list file for package `libpoppler-glib3' is missing final newline

Workaround:

This can be fixed, with a little work. If you have the .deb file for the offending package currently available on your system, then check its integrity by running:
dpkg --contents /var/cache/apt/archive/libgnome2-0_2.24.1-0ubuntu3_i386.deb
or get a .deb file by running :
sudo apt-get install --reinstall --download-only libgnome2-0

Once you have a valid .deb file, then you can reconstitute the file. First become root by using sudo -s (enter your administrative user password if necessary), and then use the following command:

dpkg -c /var/cache/apt/archive/libgnome2-0_2.24.1-0ubuntu3_i386.deb | awk \
'{if ($6 == "./") { print "/."; } \
else if (substr($6, length($6), 1) == "/") \
{print substr($6, 2, length($6) - 2); } \
else { print substr($6, 2, length($6) - 1);}}' \
> /var/lib/dpkg/info/libgnome2-0.list

Inconsistent state

Package in bad inconsistent state

E:'dpkg--configure-a'
E:_cache->open[] failed
package is in very bad inconsistent state - you should reinstall it before
attempting to configureing

Workaround A:

Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type or copy and paste the row below:

sudo apt-get --reinstall install cupsys
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Workaround B:

Try the command below to purge the offending packages :
$ sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq flashplugin-installer flashplugin-nonfree

Then to reinstall :
$ sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

package is already installed and configured

dpkg: error processing language-pack-ar (--configure):
 package language-pack-ar is already installed and configured

Workaround A:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

Workaround B

apt-get install --reinstall language-pack-ar

Other issues

Can't access archive

dpkg: error processing /media/cdrom0//pool/main/g/gcc-4.4/libstdc++6-4.4-dev_4.4.1-4ubuntu8_i386.deb (--unpack):
 cannot access archive: No such file or directory
dpkg: error processing /media/cdrom0//pool/main/g/gcc-4.4/g++-4.4_4.4.1-4ubuntu8_i386.deb (--unpack):
 cannot access archive: No such file or directory

No space left on device

Bug 312491

Unpacking replacement perl-base ...
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/perl-base_5.10.0-11.1ubuntu2.2_i386.deb (--unpack):
 failed in buffer_write(fd) (10, ret=-1): backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/perl/5.10.0/IO.pm': No space left on device

DbDriver "config" is locked

Bug 349469

debconf: DbDriver "config": /var/cache/debconf/config.dat is locked by another process: Resource temporarily unavailable
https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/349469

fuser -v will return the locking process if any. Kill it and try performing the upgrade again. If none then try performing the update again.

Non-bugs

Common issues arising from hardware failures, common invalid bugs for this category.

TODO

Add note about i18nized messages in log file and method to process those reports
Search for master reports, complete missing references in wiki and cross-reference report/wiki content
Add missing descriptions & workaround
Add section with common install/upgrade issues for specific packages ? only provide list of report + description ?

CategoryBugSquad CategoryDebugging

DebuggingInstallationIssues (last edited 2014-11-17 18:12:57 by mail)

-  ⇤ ← Revision 16 as of 2009-12-26 00:42:46 → 
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+   ← Revision 17 as of 2009-12-26 01:30:39 → ⇥
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-* Package install/upgrade: !DpkgTerminalLog
* Distribution upgrade: !VarLogDistupgradeMain and !VarLogDistupgradeApttermlog
+ * Package install/upgrade: !DpkgTerminalLog

 * Distribution upgrade: !VarLogDistupgradeMain and !VarLogDistupgradeApttermlog
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that there was an error caused by a corrupted archive. Please execute the following commands, as it will clear your package cache, in a terminal ( Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal ) :
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update
Then try performing the update again. This will likely resolve your issue. If so please set the bug's status to Invalid. Thanks in advance!||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that there was an error caused by a corrupted archive. Please execute the following commands, as it will clear your package cache, in a terminal ( Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal ) :<<BR>><<BR>>sudo apt-get clean<<BR>>sudo apt-get update<<BR>><<BR>>Then try performing the update again. This will likely resolve your issue. If so please set the bug's status to Invalid. Thanks in advance!||
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-* Bug : provide a master report
+ * Bug : provide a master report
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-* Bug Bug:320743
+ * Bug Bug:320743
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-* Bug : provide a master report
+ * Bug : provide a master report
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-This is either caused by no space left on hard disk, a faulty device or a corrupted archive

* Bug : provide a master report
+This either indicates no space left on hard disk, a faulty device or a corrupted archive

 * Bug : provide a master report
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
$ sudo apt-get clean
$ sudo aptitude download python-libvirt  $ sudo dpkg --unpack ./python-libvirt*.deb
$ sudo dpkg --configure python-libvirt
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">$ sudo apt-get clean<<BR>>$ sudo aptitude download python-libvirt<<BR>>$ sudo dpkg --unpack ./python-libvirt*.deb<<BR>>$ sudo dpkg --configure python-libvirt||
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/flashplugin-installer.{postinst,prerm,postrm}
$ sudo apt-get remove --purge flashplugin-installer
$ sudo apt-get clean
$ sudo apt-get update

Then reinstall the package
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/flashplugin-installer.{postinst,prerm,postrm}<<BR>>$ sudo apt-get remove --purge flashplugin-installer<<BR>>$ sudo apt-get clean<<BR>>$ sudo apt-get update<<BR>><<BR>>Then reinstall the package||
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
This can be fixed, with a little work. If you have the .deb file for the offending package currently available on your system, then check its integrity by running:
dpkg --contents /var/cache/apt/archive/libgnome2-0_2.24.1-0ubuntu3_i386.deb
or get a .deb file by running :
sudo apt-get install --reinstall --download-only libgnome2-0

Once you have a valid .deb file, then you can reconstitute the file. First become root by using sudo -s (enter your administrative user password if necessary), and then use the following command:
dpkg -c /var/cache/apt/archive/libgnome2-0_2.24.1-0ubuntu3_i386.deb | awk \
'{if ($6 == "./") { print "/."; } \
else if (substr($6, length($6), 1) == "/") \
{print substr($6, 2, length($6) - 2); } \
else { print substr($6, 2, length($6) - 1);}}' \
> /var/lib/dpkg/info/libgnome2-0.list
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">This can be fixed, with a little work. If you have the .deb file for the offending package currently available on your system, then check its integrity by running:<<BR>>dpkg --contents /var/cache/apt/archive/libgnome2-0_2.24.1-0ubuntu3_i386.deb<<BR>>or get a .deb file by running :<<BR>>sudo apt-get install --reinstall --download-only libgnome2-0<<BR>><<BR>>Once you have a valid .deb file, then you can reconstitute the file. First become root by using sudo -s (enter your administrative user password if necessary), and then use the following command:<<BR>><<BR>>dpkg -c /var/cache/apt/archive/libgnome2-0_2.24.1-0ubuntu3_i386.deb | awk \<<BR>>'{if ($6 == "./") { print "/."; } \<<BR>>else if (substr($6, length($6), 1) == "/") \<<BR>>{print substr($6, 2, length($6) - 2); } \<<BR>>else { print substr($6, 2, length($6) - 1);}}' \<<BR>>> /var/lib/dpkg/info/libgnome2-0.list||
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-I get error message that said E:'dpkg--configure-a'
+{{{
E:'dpkg--configure-a'
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type or copy and paste the row below:

sudo apt-get --reinstall install cupsys
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type or copy and paste the row below:<<BR>><<BR>>sudo apt-get --reinstall install cupsys<<BR>>sudo dpkg --configure -a<<BR>>sudo apt-get -f install<<BR>><<BR>>give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.||
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
Try the command below to purge the offending packages :
$ sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq flashplugin-installer flashplugin-nonfree

Then to reinstall :
$ sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">Try the command below to purge the offending packages :<<BR>>$ sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq flashplugin-installer flashplugin-nonfree<<BR>><<BR>>Then to reinstall :<<BR>>$ sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer||
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
sudo dpkg --configure -a
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">sudo dpkg --configure -a||
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-||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">
apt-get install --reinstall language-pack-ar
||
+||<tablestyle="background-color: #eee">apt-get install --reinstall language-pack-ar||
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-* Bug Bug:312491
+   * Bug Bug:312491
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-* Bug Bug:349469
+ * Bug Bug:349469
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+= TODO =
 * Add note about i18nized messages in log file and method to process those reports
 * Search for master reports, complete missing references in wiki and cross-reference report/wiki content
 * Add missing descriptions & workaround
 * Add section with common install/upgrade issues for specific packages ? only provide list of report + description ?

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