[SOLVED] Can't fix broken packages

[pickl]

Hi all - after a crash halfway through updating packages I reopened Synaptic and was greeted with the message

You have 96 broken packages on your system!

I went to Edit > Fix Broken Packages and then clicked Apply but was told:

APT system reports:
E: Ordering failed for 166 packages

I then quit Synaptic, reopened it (same broken packages message), clicked Reload, Edit > Fix Broken Packages and then clicked Apply, it downloaded some additional packages but then gave me the same error.

Does anyone have any idea how I might unbork it? Thanks so much!

[bicol_willem]

Try to look up de broken packages in Synaptic and remove these. Then update again. You might write down the broken package for later reference.

[pickl]

Thanks for the reply bicol_willem 

I'm happy to give that a try, but I'm a little scared I'll remove something critical as there are lots of lib files and other things I know nothing about...

The list of broken packages is as follows:

a2ps
bash
binutils
ccsm
clementine
consolekit-x11
cpufreq
dkms
dkms-nvidia-current
eet
ffmpeg
file
firefox
fslsfonts
gnome-python-canvas
groff-for-man
gstreamer0.10-soup
gutenprint-ijs
hplip-hpijs-ppds
jbig2dec
kdebase4-runtime
kdenetwork4-kppp-provider
libassuan0
libbluez3
libchm0
libdbus-glib-1_2
libdrakx-net
libdv4
libevent2
libflac++6
libfribidi0
libgdk-pixbuf2
libglibmm2.4_1
libgnome-keyring-i18n
libgpod
libgtk+-x11-2.0_0
libgutenprint2
libgvc5
libical0
libncursesw5
libpcsclite1
libqtdbus4
libsane1
libsasl2
libSDL_gfx15
libslang1
libtermcap2
libtk8.6
libusb-compat0.1_4
libusbmuxd1
libvbe0
libxcomposite1
libxml2_2
libxulrunner1.9.2.14
libxxf86vm1
mandi-ifw
module-init-tools
ncurses
nfs-utils-clients
notify-osd
nss_tcb
ntfs-config
ntfsprogs
ntp
ogmtools
pam_tcb
pbm2l2030
pcmciautils
perl-Crypt-PasswdMD5
perl-MDV-Distribconf
perl-Net-Telnet
plymouth
ppp-pppoe
python-qt4-core
python-qt4-xmlpatterns
rmt
s2u
shorewall
stylewriter
TiMidity++
virtualbox-guest-additions
vlc-plugin-flac
vlc-plugin-sdl
w3c-libwww
wmctrl
x11-driver-input-dmc
x11-driver-input-elographics
x11-driver-input-magellan
x11-driver-input-magictouch
x11-driver-input-palmax
x11-driver-video-siliconmotion
x11-driver-video-sisusb
x11-driver-video-tga
x11-font-alias
x11-server-common
xauth
xfs
xterm

am I safe to remove them all and then reinstall?

Thanks for the help!

[menotu]

This may help - please read carefully 

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,80839.0.html

[bicol_willem]

Thanks for the reply bicol_willem 

I'm happy to give that a try, but I'm a little scared I'll remove something critical as there are lots of lib files and other things I know nothing about...

The list of broken packages is as follows:

a2ps
bash
binutils
ccsm
clementine
consolekit-x11
cpufreq
dkms
dkms-nvidia-current
eet
ffmpeg
file
firefox
fslsfonts
gnome-python-canvas
groff-for-man
gstreamer0.10-soup
gutenprint-ijs
hplip-hpijs-ppds
jbig2dec
kdebase4-runtime
kdenetwork4-kppp-provider
libassuan0
libbluez3
libchm0
libdbus-glib-1_2
libdrakx-net
libdv4
libevent2
libflac++6
libfribidi0
libgdk-pixbuf2
libglibmm2.4_1
libgnome-keyring-i18n
libgpod
libgtk+-x11-2.0_0
libgutenprint2
libgvc5
libical0
libncursesw5
libpcsclite1
libqtdbus4
libsane1
libsasl2
libSDL_gfx15
libslang1
libtermcap2
libtk8.6
libusb-compat0.1_4
libusbmuxd1
libvbe0
libxcomposite1
libxml2_2
libxulrunner1.9.2.14
libxxf86vm1
mandi-ifw
module-init-tools
ncurses
nfs-utils-clients
notify-osd
nss_tcb
ntfs-config
ntfsprogs
ntp
ogmtools
pam_tcb
pbm2l2030
pcmciautils
perl-Crypt-PasswdMD5
perl-MDV-Distribconf
perl-Net-Telnet
plymouth
ppp-pppoe
python-qt4-core
python-qt4-xmlpatterns
rmt
s2u
shorewall
stylewriter
TiMidity++
virtualbox-guest-additions
vlc-plugin-flac
vlc-plugin-sdl
w3c-libwww
wmctrl
x11-driver-input-dmc
x11-driver-input-elographics
x11-driver-input-magellan
x11-driver-input-magictouch
x11-driver-input-palmax
x11-driver-video-siliconmotion
x11-driver-video-sisusb
x11-driver-video-tga
x11-font-alias
x11-server-common
xauth
xfs
xterm

am I safe to remove them all and then reinstall?

Thanks for the help!

NO!  That is too crazy!!  LOL

Did you try the command: apt-get check ?

Then ... If you have a separated root partition (/) and home partition (/home) you might start thinking about about a rather quick reinstall. You keep your /home partition untouched in that case.
As always, further backup is never a bad idea.

[pickl]

Hi menotu - that sounds a little less frightening so I think I'll give that a shot first - thanks.

I just took a look at the status bar in Synaptic and it seems to think I only have 98 packages installed - I'm guessing the RPM db is indeed corrupt...

I'll let you know how I get on  

bicol_willem - removing them all did seem a little... courageous..?  I'll try menotu's suggestion and post back

[bicol_willem]

Hi menotu - that sounds a little less frightening so I think I'll give that a shot first - thanks.

I just took a look at the status bar in Synaptic and it seems to think I only have 98 packages installed - I'm guessing the RPM db is indeed corrupt...

I'll let you know how I get on  

bicol_willem - removing them all did seem a little... courageous..?  I'll try menotu's suggestion and post back

Yeah, that is a courageous thing to do indeed!
I was counting with just one or a few broken packages, not with the lot! 
Hopefully menuto's suggestion sorts you out.  (I now think it will).

[pickl]

Sorted!  Thanks guys, rebuilt rpm db, still had 4 broken packages, clicked Fix Broken Packages which worked fine, clicked Reload, Mark All Upgrades, Apply, that worked fine too.

The only odd thing was I lost my second panel, but I've redone that now too so everything looks like it's working fine 

Thanks again- much appreciated!

[bicol_willem]

You didn't let any grass growing over it, congrats! 

[uncleV]

The only odd thing was I lost my second panel, but I've redone that now too so everything looks like it's working fine 

And you can add even a third panel!