Mozilla Thunderbird does not process emails on a random basis

Hatman KZN · 04-19-2016, 10:57 AM

Hi Guys and Guyesses

I am still up the ignoramus creek in my dumb canoe with Thunderbird.
It still randomly refuses to send or receive random emails.
(see Problems with Mozilla Thunderbird in Mint 17.3 Mate - 04-11-16 )

It will process various emails some of the time and not at others.
Some items like my subscription feeds, it refuses to process at all.

I have checked for filter, security and firewall settings on both Thunderbird's settings and the settings on Vodacom's server.
Nix – nada - didley squat.

In order to cure my woes with Thunderbird I finally tried to uninstall it by right clicking on the appropriate tab in the applications menu and then selecting uninstall but it would not budge.
I got this message:-

An error occurred
The following details are provided
E: Encountered a section with no Package header
E: Problem with MergeList/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_trusty_main_i18n_Translation-en%5fZA
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened
E Cache→open() failed, please report.

So then I tried my old nemesis THE TERMINATOR and typed in - sudo apt-get uninstall Mozilla Thunderbird only to be told that the cli does not recognize uninstall.

Then I tried sudo apt-get purge pkg mozilla thunderbird and got a similar message.
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened
(I tried to paste a snippet of it here but it won't paste.)

I am getting so frustrated that I am thinking of getting a shotgun and going bird hunting - Thunderbirds to be exact.

So how do I get rid of this…. application so that I can either re-install it or get something else?

___________________________________________________________
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

beachboy2 · 04-19-2016, 01:44 PM

Hatman KZN,

Before you obliterate Thunderbird, it might be a good idea to first save your Thunderbird Profile folder.

Open your Home folder, click on View.

Click on Show Hidden Files.

Click on the .thunderbird folder and copy & paste the ********.default folder to your Desktop.

Also, it is a good idea to save (on your Desktop initially, so that you can find it easily) each of your Address Books as a Comma Separated File (.csv).

Open Thunderbird.

Click on Address Book > Tools > Export > Name: Addbook1

Select Desktop. Change LDIF to Comma Separated. Click on Save.

Repeat for any different Address Books.

To remove Thunderbird:

Code:

sudo apt-get purge thunderbird*

Hatman KZN · 04-19-2016, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachboy2

Hatman KZN,
To remove Thunderbird:

Code:

sudo apt-get purge thunderbird*

Thanks beachboy2.
I just knew the cavalry would heed the call.

OK, I tried what you suggested but I still get

E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

Me thinkest that I'm jinxed

Hatman KZN · 04-20-2016, 02:08 AM

Hoo – boy.
It now looks like Mint has also developed a nappy rash and has joined with Tbird to gang up on me.
I can no longer access the Software manager and Synaptic package manager gives me this message when I try to access it:-

E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_trusty_main_i18n_Translation-en%5fZA
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

It is basically the same message that I get when I tried to purge Tbird.

I am very careful when I fiddle with things that I don't know anything about.
I read the guides and the advice given numerous times before I take action, but still Linux takes umbrage at my ministrations.
My relationship with Linux is steadily becoming a one-way affair that is beginning to turn sour.

Pardon my whinge but I am not a happy camper this morning.

descendant_command · 04-20-2016, 03:01 AM

As the error message says, the file(s) apt uses to keep track of your packages is broken.
This usually only happens if you have been doing very unwise things with it.
You can try deleting (or moving to a safe place, if you are cautious) the file in question, then retry an apt-get update to repopulate it.
It may or may not help, depending on what else you have done to your system.

beachboy2 · 04-20-2016, 03:36 AM

Hatman KZN,

Open your good friend “the Terminator” and run these two commands, one at a time:

Code:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf

Code:

sudo apt-get update

This may be useful in the future:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Pa...otingProcedure

By the way, if you ever come across a broken package, this will usually fix it:

Menu > Applications > All > Synaptic Package Manager > give password > Edit > Fix Broken Packages.