Today I went to install a package using aptitude.
When I hit the "g" key to get the review of what aptitude will install, there was a considerable list of packages shown under the heading of Packages being held back.
The explanation in the lower part of the screen states that these packages could be upgraded but won't be because I've requested them to remain at there current version.

The problem is, It's my box and I have made no such request.
Is this the normal behavior of aptitude?

Naturally all of the packages are listed as installed. Most, but not all, also have an A tag, which, if I'm not mistaken, indicates it was installed as a dependency. All are also tagged with a U, which I thought meant to upgrade that package but obviously I'm wrong.

Could somebody please explain this behavior?

I realize all I have to do is select the heading and press the + to have the packages upgraded but I'd like to understand why the system believes I've issued the hold command.

They won't upgrade simply because you're installing a specific package. If you want to upgrade all the packages already on your system "aptitude upgrade." If you want to upgrade everything to the current version of the default installation "aptitude dist-upgrade." Don't forget to "aptitude update" first.

Also these instructions are for using aptitude from the command line. I never have bothered to figure out the ncurses interface.

here's one way you can change their status.

http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/re...ml#s-pkgstatus

Probably should read this as well and see if it's the cause.
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/ap....en.html#s-pin

Pinning not being set up right might be behind your issues. I would make sure that is set up correctly first. If it is, then you could follow those instruction for using dpkg to change the status of the packages you don't want held. Assuming they're marked as held and that is the problem.