fixing apt-get errors
 

been living with apt-get not working for a while now, don't know how it broke but i'm running a 2.6.26.8 kernel for vmware and maybe thats it?

hate to be useless but have no idea where to start?

This will automatically tell apt-get to correct dependencies and continue to configure your packages. Note that apt-get -f install has NO PACKAGE APPENDED TO IT!!! This is essential; if you try to apt-get -f install a package you will further complicate things.

You might find that your life is much easier if you switch from apt-get to aptitude.
ciao,
jdk

It is so far from the truth it isn't even funny.

apt-get works just fine. I have used apt-get and apt-get alone for over six years without problems. If the all might Debian gods do not want people using apt-get then it should be removed from the repos.

First I would edit /etc/apt/apt.conf (You may need to create it) and add:
// auto-remove breaks on meta packages
APT::Get::AutomaticRemove "0";
APT::Get::HideAutoRemove "1";

// Recommends are as of now still abused in many packages
APT::Install-Recommends "0";
APT::Install-Suggests "0";
Debug::pkgAutoRemove "0";

Then do:
apt-get clean
apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade

Along with "apt-get -f install" I find that
[code]
sudo apt-get --configure -a
[code]
will clear many of this type of error for you too. I usually try it first. It is also handy without the "-a" and with a package name in that space.

Just to add to the dpkg handy commands;
is also very handy if things are not just right as can happen in unstable versions very easily and stable ones if I am tweeking them beyond my comfort zone of knowledge (the only way to learn something new).

aptitude works just fine. I have used aptitude and aptitude alone for over three years without problems. If the almighty Debian gods want people to use aptitude then they should recommend its use over apt-get -- oh, they have been, for years?

I switched to aptitude on the day that apt-get tried to remove libc6. It solved my dependency problem, and I haven't looked back.

In any case.. try it.

The key is kinda overlooked by all this bickering on apt-get vs aptitude. Let's get back to the OP chaps...

The reason the original command failed was a number of links that weren't sym-links but (presumably) the files themselves. The acpid package is to blame, obviously, so removing that should remedy the problem... Unfortunately, acpid may have dependencies that prevent the upgrade altogether... The "apt-get -f install" command will do just fine in this case.

Personally, I'm using aptitude, mostly interactive. The keyboard-based menu is much easier then memorizing commandline options ;) Especially for novices! My :twocents:

apt-get purge acpid
apt-get clean
dpkg --configure --pending
apt-get update
apt-get -f install
apt-get upgrade
apt-get dist-upgrade
apt-get install acpid

Feel free to use aptitude in place of apt-get.

Also please post your sources.list

tried everything still getting all sort of type 1 errors

created that /etc/apt/apt.conf file

Never used vmware, I just use virtualbox.

rm /var/cache/apt/archives/acpid_1.0.8-1lenny2_amd64.deb

Do you use raid? If not you can safely remove mdadm.

aptitude remove mdadm acpid

aptitude clean
aptitude update
aptitude dist-upgrade

Debian Reference - Debian package management

yes i do use raid, i'll try removing acpid later though