apt-get is hosed

gvaught · 02-05-2005, 10:02 PM

Sorry if that wasn't descriptive enough - but it's the best I can do in a one-line subject.

Here's what happens: I open konsole, su to root and attempt to "apt-get install any_pkg" and I get the following results (and yes, it's ANY package I try to install):

Code:

arthur:/home/gary# apt-get remove grub
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
  qmail: Depends: fastforward (> 0.51-zarge0) but it is not going to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

and just to make sure it wasn't the "remove" command:

Code:

 
arthur:/home/gary# apt-get install lilo
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
  lilo: Depends: libdevmapper1.00 but it is not going to be installed
  qmail: Depends: fastforward (> 0.51-zarge0) but it is not going to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

Anybody out there have a suggestion on what I can try to fix this?

BTW, I have tried the 'apt-get -f install':

Code:

arthur:/home/gary# apt-get -f install
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following extra packages will be installed:
  fastforward
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  fastforward
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 424 not upgraded.
2 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0B/41.9kB of archives.
After unpacking 250kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] Y
(Reading database ... 103128 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking fastforward (from .../fastforward_0.51-zarge1_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/fastforward_0.51-zarge1_i386.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite `/usr/sbin/newaliases', which is also in package sendmail-bin
dpkg-deb: subprocess paste killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/fastforward_0.51-zarge1_i386.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

It appears that I have a failed or broken attempt at installing qmail (which is probably true) or fastforward or sendmail or something. So how do I determine which one it is? How do I kill it? Remove it from the system? Whatever I need to do?

I've spent too long on this already and I am pretty close to flushing it all and reinstalling. Not a real killer with Sarge, but time consuming. And I already know how to do a Sarge net-install.

comprookie2000 · 02-05-2005, 11:23 PM

What happens when you try and remove gmail

makuyl · 02-06-2005, 04:59 AM

I find that dpkg --configure -a is often more efficient than apt-get -f install, don't know why as they're supposed to do the same thing. As to your problem, I usually just bite the bullet and force things

dpkg -i --force-all /var/cache/apt/archives/fastforward_0.51-zarge1_i386.deb

gvaught · 02-06-2005, 12:45 PM

Well guys, thanks for the replies. I'll try these options if I get into that predicament again.

As it is, I was having other issues and decided to go ahead and reinstall. So now I have no problems with apt-get.

Please note that I do NOT recommend this as a first option. Reinstalling is kinda like surgery - it's a drastic measure and you really can't undo it. So, if you're reading this thread looking for an answer that works, try the other two suggestions and then move on. I had been struggling with this issue for weeks, and had put in hours of research and questions on forums. BTW, this is the first time I've gotten helpful responses.

Reinstalling is a "last option" kind of option.

ironwalker · 02-06-2005, 01:36 PM

One thing to remember on your new install...make sure you do not have source.list addresses of different pakages and 3rd party mirrors etc.Mixing will cause mismatches and confuse apt.Keeping official ...say...unstable links in there and all links #'d that give a 404 error should keep apt clean.If there are pakages held back for dependancy erros etc they usually are worked out in the very near future....sometimes more than a week.Also,I have found mixing pakage managers for updates and upgrades turns up mixed results.Such as how aptitude dist-upgrade wants to downgrade pakages from my last apt-get dist-upgrade...I only use apt-get and apt-build now.
But keeping the source.list clean is key.

gvaught · 02-06-2005, 03:17 PM

Much grass for the intel.

I'm not 100% on apt-get, aptitude or synaptic, but I thought they were all pretty much the same thing. Guess now I know better.

Thx.