Ubuntu

upgrade 8.04 to 10.04 flashplugin problem

Asked by Robert Killip

I have upgraded from 8.04 to 10.04 and all seems well apart from a problem with flashplayer. I have an error which indicates that I have 1 broken package - "E: flashplugin-nonfree. Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should reinstall it before attempting a removal".

The problem is that if I run Package Manager and try and reinstall or remove this package I get the same error message - neither option works for me. This problem is also preventing me from updating my system using the update manager. The packages download but don't install as I always get taken back to the first error message.

So, I believe that I need a method to completely remove flashplugin-nonfree (the installed version is 10.0.1.218+really9.0.262.0ubuntu1) then start from scratch with flashplayer. Apart from the flash problem, I am concerned that I can not update my system with patches released.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Robert

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Sam_
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Revision history for this message
Jens Maucher (jensmaucher) said : 		#1

Type sudo apt-get remove --purge flashplugin-nonfree to remove it completely. Than reinstall it again.

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wojox (wojox) said : 		#2

Robert,

You need to run:

sudo dpkg --force-remove-reinstreq flashplugin-nonfree

Revision history for this message
Robert Killip (robkil1) said : 		#3

I have tried the first suggestion
sudo apt-get remove --purge flashplugin-nonfree

This just gives me the same error message (package in a bad inconsistent state) and the purge fails.

I also tried the second suggestion
sudo dpkg --force-remove-reinstreq flashplugin-nonfree

However, when I try to run this, I get the message "dpkg: need an action option" and this command does not run. I have tried to check the syntax, but I'm afraid can't see what the command requires.

Thanks
Robert

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Best Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#4

flashplugin-nonfree is totally outdated.
## Firefox should be closed and all other flash apps (e.g. swfdec, gnash) should be removed.

Try this:
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/flashplugin-nonfree.prerm
sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq flashplugin-nonfree
sudo dpkg --purge --force-all flashplugin-nonfree

## In case repair & cleanup
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get autoremove && sudo apt-get clean && sudo apt-get autoclean
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade && sudo apt-get install -f

Install newest version:
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#5

Just for the record.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/flashplugin-nonfree/+bug/326555

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Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#6

Again, for the record.
http://packages.ubuntu.com/lucid/flashplugin-nonfree

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Robert Killip (robkil1) said : 		#7

Thanks Sam, that solved my question.

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Robert Killip (robkil1) said : 		#8

Sam - thanks a lot. I have a fully working system again.

Robert

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#9

Good to hear and well done. Enjoy Ubuntu.