[SOLVED] having problems with the apt-get command

commandersrc555 · 10-22-2013, 02:32 PM

The Debian command line apt-get is not working all of the packages are there but I can not install nothing I get unable to find package for the app, software or programm that I want to install.

rtmistler · 10-22-2013, 02:44 PM

What exactly did you type and what exactly was reported? Post that information in a reply, suggest you use code blocks. Use advanced mode if you can't figure out how to add code blocks, the icon with # on it adds them for you. Place your pasted command shell text copy in between the two code blocks.

Note that you'll need an attachment to the internet for this to work.

Typically start with:

Code:

sudo apt-get upgrade

To update your repository, especially if this hasn't been done in a while, or ever.

Did you type something like:

Code:

sudo apt-get install vlc

For instance to install vlc?

commandersrc555 · 10-22-2013, 03:11 PM

this is what i am getting with the commandand iam online.This is the same thing I get with Kali-linux.

root@debian:/home/stevencobb# sudo apt-get install vlc
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package vlc

snowday · 10-22-2013, 03:18 PM

You must do this first:

Code:

sudo apt-get update

Then you can (hopefully):

Code:

sudo apt-get install vlc

If that doesn't work, then please post the output of the 'sudo apt-get update' command.

Firerat · 10-22-2013, 03:23 PM

you don't mention your debian version

but read this anyway

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-debian.html

rtmistler · 10-23-2013, 08:16 AM

Snowpine is correct, I should have written "update" versus what I wrote.

The OP is not trying to specifically install VLC, that was my example. They're having troubles with aptitude, and as pointed out, they should try the two recommended commands and report the results via capturing the output and inserting it within code tags in a reply.

Firerat · 10-23-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmistler

Snowpine is correct, I should have written "update" versus what I wrote.

The OP is not trying to specifically install VLC, that was my example. They're having troubles with aptitude, and as pointed out, they should try the two recommended commands and report the results via capturing the output and inserting it within code tags in a reply.

oops . post 3 confused me

well, in that case

commandersrc555, what are you trying to install?

jefro · 10-23-2013, 05:59 PM

Use -clean option maybe to start?? Does that sort of clean out apt?

andrewthomas · 10-23-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro

Use -clean option maybe to start?? Does that sort of clean out apt?

I think that that just cleans the package cache.

Code:

dpkg --configure -a

apt-get --fix-broken

would probably work better.

Randicus Draco Albus · 10-23-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commandersrc555

root@debian:/home/stevencobb# sudo apt-get install vlc
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package vlc

It might be a good idea to post your sources.list. If apt cannot locate a basic package like VLC, then it is not connecting to the repository. (Messed up sources.list.)

Another idea, but less likely, trying to use sudo without enabling it might also generate that error message? I do not know, because I have never used sudo with Debian.

andrewthomas · 10-23-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus

Another idea, but less likely, trying to use sudo without enabling it might also generate that error message? I do not know, because I have never used sudo with Debian.

Unnecessarily using sudo in a root shell will not cause any problems whatsoever.