[SOLVED] Synaptic DB corrupt: The dreaded E: error message.

[Neal ManBear]

Any other suggestions, KJP?

[CJ]

Just to check - the eternal optismist (or the fool that keeps trying the same thing to no avail!) - through the steps over again. All ran fine, with this one exception:

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dupeclean
error: "libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010" specifies multiple packages
The following packages were removed: libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010It looks like it actually removed the package, but alas, upon Synaptic start, the same warning about this package being twice installed is persistent.

CJ

[CJ]

I don't know if this is of help or not, but when I go to Force Version, I get the two following choices from the drop-down menu:

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Select the version of libbinutils2#2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010 that should be forced for installation

The package manager always selects the most applicable version available. If you force a different version from the default one, errors in the dependency handling can occur.

Force version:
2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010 (Unknown)
2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010 ()
(The first version 'Unknown' is selected.)

I wonder what would happen if I 'forced' one of them - and if so, which one? I worry that I might make things worse.

CJ

[Neal ManBear]

Try this:
With Synaptic not open, in a terminal as root, apt-get remove --nodeps libbinutils2. When it has finished, open Synaptic and check to see if you get the same message.

[CJ]

Try this:
With Synaptic not open, in a terminal as root, apt-get remove --nodeps libbinutils2. When it has finished, open Synaptic and check to see if you get the same message.

Complains about the option:

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# apt-get remove --nodeps libbinutils2
E: Command line option --nodeps is not understood
I can't seem to find the option, the only thing is the -D option (-D  When removing packages, remove dependencies as possible) which seems to suggest that apt-get will not remove dependencies by default... but I must admit, I am too scared to rely on this hunch in case it is the wrong assumption.

CJ

[Neal ManBear]

Try apt-get remove --force --nodeps instead.

[kjpetrie]

--nodeps is not an apt-get option. It's an rpm option, but if the database is corrupt it's not safe to add or remove anything until it's fixed. If you really installed the same package twice, it would simply overwrite itself. You might get two entries in the database, but you'd still only have one set of files installed.

Try rebuilding the database again.

What output does "rpm -q libbinutils2" give?

[CJ]

--nodeps is not an apt-get option. It's an rpm option, but if the database is corrupt it's not safe to add or remove anything until it's fixed. If you really installed the same package twice, it would simply overwrite itself. You might get two entries in the database, but you'd still only have one set of files installed.

Try rebuilding the database again.

What output does "rpm -q libbinutils2" give?

I did rebuild the database without problems.. apart from the dupe.

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# rpm -q libbinutils2
libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010
libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010
So, I should hold of with the 'apt-get remove --force --nodeps'... or should I go ahead? 

CJ

[Neal ManBear]

Hold off on that, CJ.

[kjpetrie]

OK, so you haven't got two versions installed. You have the same version recorded in the database twice. You can't simply remove it, because if you do you will delete the library which will kill your system dead.

Things to try (check rpm -q libbinutils2 after each one to see if the problem is solved):

1. rpm -e --nodeps --justdb libbinutils2
(Don't think --justdb is allowed on rpm -e, but it  would be ideal if it worked)

2.apt-get --fix-broken build-dep libbinutils2

3. apt-get --reinstall --fix-broken install libbinutils2

4. apt-get --fix-broken remove libbinutils2

5. If you have libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010.i586.rpm in you /etc/cache/apt/archives, cd into that directory. Otherwise use a web browser to download it from a mirror and cd into the directory where you put it. Then:

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rpm -U --replacepkgs --nodeps --justdb libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010.i586.rpm
6. If all else fails, back up all data and settings, bite the bullet, and re-install! It's probably quicker than messing around and breaking things further.

[CJ]

1. rpm -e --nodeps --justdb libbinutils2

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error: "libbinutils2" specifies multiple packages

2.apt-get --fix-broken build-dep libbinutils2

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Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
W: There are multiple versions of "libbinutils2" in your system.

This package won't be cleanly updated, unless you leave
only one version. To leave multiple versions installed,
you may remove that warning by setting the following
option in your configuration file:

RPM::Allow-Duplicated { "^libbinutils2$"; };

To disable these warnings completely set:

RPM::Allow-Duplicated-Warning "false";

W: You may want to run apt-get update to correct these problems
E: You must put some 'source' URIs in your sources.list

3. apt-get --reinstall --fix-broken install libbinutils2

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(same as above...)

4. apt-get --fix-broken remove libbinutils2

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Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
Selecting libbinutils2#2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010 for 'libbinutils2'
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  a2ps amule basesystem binutils dkms dkms-fglrx dkms-nvidia-current dkms-psb dkms-r8192se
  dkms-sn9c20x dkms-virtualbox gcc kernel-2.6.33.7-pclos4.pae
  kernel-devel-2.6.33.7-pclos4.pae libbinutils2#2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010 ndiswrapper
  ndiswrapper-airforceone ndiswrapper-airplus ndiswrapper-lstinds ndiswrapper-net8185
  ndiswrapper-netathw ndiswrapper-netma521 ndiswrapper-netr33x ndiswrapper-prismnic
  ndiswrapper-wlannic ndiswrapper-wlipnds printerdrake task-printing task-printing-scanning
  virtualbox
WARNING: The following essential packages will be removed
This should NOT be done unless you know exactly what you are doing!
  basesystem kernel-2.6.33.7-pclos4.pae (due to basesystem)
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 30 removed and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 0B of archives.
After unpacking 181MB disk space will be freed.
You are about to do something potentially harmful
To continue type in the phrase 'Yes, do as I say!'Hardly a surprise that I say 'no' to this... call me chicken, see if I care... 

5. If you have libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010.i586.rpm in you /etc/cache/apt/archives, cd into that directory. Otherwise use a web browser to download it from a mirror and cd into the directory where you put it. Then:

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rpm -U --replacepkgs --nodeps --justdb libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010.i586.rpm

I shall try this tomorrow, when I have less fermented beverage in my system. (Not that there is any realistic assumption on that point, as I have my parents visiting from the old country this week, a rare occasion worthy of a pitcher of mjød or two!)

6. If all else fails, back up all data and settings, bite the bullet, and re-install! It's probably quicker than messing around and breaking things further.

or 7. Ignore the problem and hope it goes away (or deal with it when it breaks the system and forces me to reinstall anyhow)... not my favourite, but...


It really gets to me that there seems to be no cause, just a symptom... normally, it's easy to treat a symptom, but in this case... oh well...

Thank you both for your suggestions, much appreciated. Any more, keep them coming (I shall still try no. 5 tomorrow on a clearer head).

Cheers!
CJ

[CJ]

5. If you have libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010.i586.rpm in you /etc/cache/apt/archives, cd into that directory. Otherwise use a web browser to download it from a mirror and cd into the directory where you put it. Then:

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rpm -U --replacepkgs --nodeps --justdb libbinutils2-2.19.51.0.2-3pclos2010.i586.rpm

Ok, I have no /etc/cache folder, so I got the package down from Heanet.ie and ran the command. No errors, but the issue still persists.
Why is it so bloody difficult, that persistent little... grrrrr....

CJ

[Neal ManBear]

That should be /var/cache/apt/archives.

Check that folder to see what you have there.

[CJ]

That should be /var/cache/apt/archives.

Check that folder to see what you have there.

Basically nothing... but I already did download the library and followed kjpetrie's instructions, so haven't I done that deed now, or...? Did I miss something?

CJ

[Neal ManBear]

That should be /var/cache/apt/archives.

Check that folder to see what you have there.

Basically nothing... but I already did download the library and followed kjpetrie's instructions, so haven't I done that deed now, or...? Did I miss something?

CJ

Put the RPM in /var/cache/apt/archives and type F4 to open a terminal in that directory (folder). If a terminal does not open, open a terminal from your panel or menu and

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cd /var/cache/apt/archives
to switch to the directory. The prompt will show this change with "archives" at its end. Next use

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su
to become root and then use kjpetrie's instructions / commands.