I just installed Kubuntu 7.04 on my laptop Monday. I'm still new to Linux and I'm using the free Kubuntu CD I got from a buddy of mine to learn my way around Linux. Anyways, I noticed the little update icon in the system tray when I booted up this evening, so I clicked on it, and I get an error message that is titled "Database Locked - Adept Updater." Basically it says that another program is using the updater or update database (something like that...I didn't write the entire message down). I restarted my computer only to get the same message once it booted up again.

Any suggestions on what's causing this problem and how to fix it? Without Adept Updater I can't install/uninstall programs!

Thanks,
New Linux User

If you didn't have synaptic open, or did not issue any update commands, and you have a always-on connection, chances are it's on-line retrieving repository data which is part of the update process. It's getting information regarding extra packages not on the DVD and update information.
Have you waited a while after booting up? it may be ready to go after it's done, which could be up to an hour depending on your configuration and connection speed.

No, I didn't have the patience to wait for an hour, I figured there was something wrong. I guess that's what I get for using Windows for all these years. I'll have just have to give it some time, and if that doesn't work, I'll add more information to this thread.

Thanks

I tried waiting, per your suggestion, to see if the update process would finish. It has been more than 3 hours now, and I'm updating at work...we have a T1 server (or higher) so I know the process should have completed in less than an hour.

Here is the specific error message:
Message Title: Database Locked - Adept Updater
Message Content: Another process is using the packaging system database (probably some other Adept application or apt-get or aptitude). Please close the other application before using this one.

Exact same process as before...boot into Kubuntu, click on the update icon in the system tray, and this is the message I get everytime. How can I fix this?

Thanks!

If you may have restarted your computer while adept or any other apt-related process was running, it's possible you have what's known as a "stale lock". Try removing the file /var/lib/dpkg/lock.

A coworker of mine who is a lot more afluent in Linux that I am fixed the problem...I'll get a detailed description from his as to what he did and post it.

Thanks.

First, enter this at the Konsole:
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

This deletes the lock file that's causing most of your problem. Just to be sure, enter this...

sudo dpkg --configure -a

This will resolve the log-jam causing the crash. Any active package that won't complete or
load will be tagged as broken and ignored.

Then you can use Adept as you normally do!