dpkg: error processing python-cairo (--configure)

ronaldv · 10-10-2009, 10:46 AM

I did an 8.10 to 9.04 ubuntu upgrade via the upgrade manager but it failed on me somehere midway with this message (and lots more after this):

Code:

2009-10-08 18:38:48,912 ERROR got an error from dpkg for pkg: 'ufw': 'subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
'
2009-10-08 18:38:48,952 DEBUG running apport_pkgfailure() ufw: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1

2009-10-08 18:38:49,028 ERROR got an error from dpkg for pkg: 'ufw': 'subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
'
2009-10-08 18:39:39,585 ERROR got an error from dpkg for pkg: 'python-cairo': 'subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
'
2009-10-08 18:39:39,586 DEBUG running apport_pkgfailure() python-cairo: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1

2009-10-08 18:39:39,612 ERROR got an error from dpkg for pkg: 'python-cairo': 'subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1

Now when I boot the upgrade system the gnome-gui is completely a mess. When I try to fix this by booting into recovery mode I get these errors:

- when auto-fixing the gui:

Code:

package xserver-xorg is incomplete or not installed

- when running dkpg-reconfigure:

Code:

Setting up python-cairo (1.4.12-1.2ubuntu1) ...
file does not exist: /usr/lib/python2.5/site-packages/cairo/__init__.py
pycentral: pycentral pkginstall: error byte-compiling files (1)
pycentral pkginstall: error byte-compiling files (1)
dpkg: error processing python-cairo (--configure):
 subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python-gtk2:
 python-gtk2 depends on python-cairo (>= 1.0.2-1.1); however:
  Package python-cairo is not configured yet.

.......[lot more]......

dpkg: too many errors, stopping
Errors were encountered while processing:
 python-cairo
 python-gtk2
 python-gnome2
 python-glade2
 python-gnome2-desktop
 deskbar-applet
 libdeskbar-tracker
 python-gmenu
 gnome-menus
 python-apt
 ubuntu-system-service
 gnome-control-center
 gnome-session
 gnome-about
 gnome-panel
 gnome-applets
 python-imaging
 hplip
 gnome-applets-dbg
 command-not-found
 python-newt
 ufw
 update-manager-core
 alacarte
 python-launchpad-bugs
 python-problem-report
 python-apport
 apport
 apport-gtk
 python-xapian
 apt-xapian-index
 python-gst0.10
 python-gtkhtml2
 python-sexy
 gnome-app-install
 python-vte
 apturl
 checkbox-gtk
 computer-janitor
 computer-janitor-gtk
 devede
 epiphany-extensions
 fast-user-switch-applet
 hpijs
 foomatic-db-hpijs
 gcompris
 gdebi-core
 gdebi
 python-qt4-common
 python-qt4
 python-kde4
Processing was halted because there were too many errors.
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

I tried to re-start the upgrade by running 'apt-get upgrade' with the 9.04-cd in the drive but this has no result.

How to proceed on this?
How can I force apt-get to continue where it failed?

Hope to hear from you, Ronald

emi_ramo · 10-11-2009, 08:52 AM

As I know, Ubuntu needs cairo running. And by experience, I prefer to install new Ubuntu versions than upgrading installed ones (it's really fast). But if you still want to continue with this, it's possible you need to run some thing like:

Code:

apt-get install -f

If it still does not work, then you'll have to fix cairo manually.

See you.

ronaldv · 10-13-2009, 09:12 AM

apt-get install -f give me the message that it can not continue because of previous failures of dpkg. I must run dpkg -configure to solve it.

emi_ramo · 10-13-2009, 12:06 PM

Is it possible that your problem comes from ufw instead of cairo? On your first log ufw gives the first error.

Whatever, you can try to unpack the contents of the package to your filesystem. Do it carefully on a directory and then to the system (or using mc: Midnight Commander) to ensure you do it correctly. After doing so, try to finish the installation with

Code:

apt-get install -f

or

Code:

dpkg --configure --pending