Unable to use software updater or software center!

I also tried sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop, and the result was:

Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_precise-security_multiverse_i18n_Translation-en
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PackageManagerTroubleshootingProcedure

Please post full Terminal output here:

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/226426

Hi Wendy,

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
sudo apt-get clean all
sudo apt-get update

Try the above commands, it worked for me when i had the same.

Hope it helps.

karthi : )

Manfred Hampl suggests this article as an answer to your question:
FAQ #1591: “'E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with MergeList”.

Ok, Mark, I ran through the troubleshooting commands. I couldn't do any of the stuff before the commands to enter in the terminal, because whenever I try to run the software updater or software center, it would immediately crash.

It looks like some of it got cut off, I hope this helps....
Setting up appmenu-gtk (0.3.92-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/X11/Xsession.d/80appmenu ...
Setting up appmenu-gtk3 (0.3.92-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/X11/Xsession.d/80appmenu-gtk3 ...
Setting up libcups2 (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up libcupsmime1 (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up libcupscgi1 (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up libtiff4 (3.9.5-2ubuntu1.4) ...
Setting up libcupsimage2 (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up libcupsppdc1 (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up libfreetype6 (2.4.8-1ubuntu2.1) ...
Setting up libpoppler19 (0.18.4-1ubuntu3.1) ...
Setting up poppler-utils (0.18.4-1ubuntu3.1) ...
Setting up cups-common (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up cups-client (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up cups-bsd (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up cups-ppdc (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up libnspr4 (4.9.5-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libnspr4-0d (4.9.5-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libnss3 (3.14.3-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libnss3-1d (3.14.3-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libxrandr2 (2:1.3.2-2ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up google-chrome-stable (26.0.1410.63-r192696) ...
Setting up gstreamer0.10-gconf (0.10.31-1ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up libgudev-1.0-0 (1:175-0ubuntu9.3) ...
Setting up libjack-jackd2-0 (1.9.8~dfsg.1-1ubuntu2) ...
Setting up gstreamer0.10-plugins-good (0.10.31-1ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up libgstreamer-plugins-bad0.10-0 (0.10.22.3-2ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad (0.10.22.3-2ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libavutil51 (4:0.8.6-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libpostproc52 (4:0.8.6-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libswscale2 (4:0.8.6-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libavcodec53 (4:0.8.6-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up libavformat53 (4:0.8.6-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up bamfdaemon (0.2.126-0ubuntu1) ...
Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/bamf.index...
Setting up libbamf3-0 (0.2.126-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up libbamf0 (0.2.126-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up libcupsdriver1 (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
Setting up x11-common (1:7.6+12ubuntu2) ...
Setting up xserver-common (2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.12) ...
Setting up libgl1-mesa-dri (8.0.4-0ubuntu0.4) ...
Setting up libglapi-mesa (8.0.4-0ubuntu0.4) ...
Setting up libgl1-mesa-glx (8.0.4-0ubuntu0.4) ...
Setting up libgoa-1.0-common (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libgoa-1.0-0 (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up gnome-online-accounts (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libpoppler-glib8 (0.18.4-1ubuntu3.1) ...
Setting up libpulse0 (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up libpulse-mainloop-glib0 (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up libpulsedsp (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up libqtcore4 (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-xml (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-dbus (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-network (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-script (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-sql (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-xmlpatterns (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-sql-sqlite (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up qdbus (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up fonts-opensymbol (2:102.2+LibO3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libneon27-gnutls (0.29.6-1ubuntu1) ...
Setting up libxslt1.1 (1.1.26-8ubuntu1.3) ...
Setting up libssh-4 (0.5.2-1ubuntu0.12.04.2) ...
Setting up libwbclient0 (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
Setting up samba-common (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
Setting up winbind (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
 * Starting the Winbind daemon winbind [ OK ]
Setting up libpam-winbind (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
Setting up smbclient (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
Setting up libxatracker1 (8.0.4-0ubuntu0.4) ...
Setting up isc-dhcp-common (4.1.ESV-R4-0ubuntu5.6) ...
Setting up isc-dhcp-client (4.1.ESV-R4-0ubuntu5.6) ...
Setting up libnm-util2 (0.9.4.0-0ubuntu4.2) ...
Setting up libnm-glib4 (0.9.4.0-0ubuntu4.2) ...
Setting up gnome-control-center-data (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu0.11) ...
Setting up libgnomekbd-common (3.4.0.2-1ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up libgnomekbd7 (3.4.0.2-1ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up nautilus-data (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu8) ...
Setting up gnome-settings-daemon (3.4.2-0ubuntu0.6.2) ...
Setting up liblightdm-gobject-1-0 (1.2.3-0ubuntu2) ...
Setting up unity-greeter (0.2.9-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libglu1-mesa (8.0.4-0ubuntu0.4) ...
Setting up libsmbclient (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
Setting up apt-utils (0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.10) ...
Setting up sudo (1.8.3p1-1ubuntu3.4) ...
Setting up apt-transport-https (0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.10) ...
Setting up libisc83 (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up libdns81 (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up libisccc80 (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up libisccfg82 (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up libbind9-80 (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up liblwres80 (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up bind9-host (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up dnsutils (1:9.8.1.dfsg.P1-4ubuntu0.6) ...
Setting up iptables (1.4.12-1ubuntu5) ...
Setting up man-db (2.6.1-2ubuntu1) ...
Updating database of manual pages ...
Setting up openssl (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.8) ...
Setting up ubuntu-standard (1.267.1) ...
Setting up acpi-support (0.140.1) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/acpi/asus-touchpad.sh ...
update-rc.d: warning: /etc/init.d/acpi-support missing LSB information
update-rc.d: see <http://wiki.debian.org/LSBInitScripts>
Setting up libgnome-control-center1 (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu0.11) ...
Setting up activity-log-manager-common (0.9.4-0ubuntu3.2) ...
Setting up activity-log-manager-control-center (0.9.4-0ubuntu3.2) ...
Setting up linux-sound-base (1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up python-problem-report (2.0.1-0ubuntu17.1) ...
Setting up python-apport (2.0.1-0ubuntu17.1) ...
Setting up bogofilter-common (1.2.2+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up bogofilter-bdb (1.2.2+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up bogofilter (1.2.2+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up brasero-common (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libbrasero-media3-1 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up brasero-cdrkit (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libnautilus-extension1a (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu8) ...
Setting up brasero (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up python-libxml2 (2.7.8.dfsg-5.1ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libdee-1.0-4 (1.0.10-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libdecoration0 (1:0.9.7.12-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up compiz-core (1:0.9.7.12-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up compiz-plugins-default (1:0.9.7.12-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up compiz-gnome (1:0.9.7.12-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up unity-services (5.18.0-0ubuntu2) ...
Setting up libunity-core-5.0-5 (5.18.0-0ubuntu2) ...
Setting up unity-common (5.18.0-0ubuntu2) ...
Setting up compiz (1:0.9.7.12-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up unity (5.18.0-0ubuntu2) ...
Setting up duplicity (0.6.18-0ubuntu3.1) ...
Setting up deja-dup (22.0-0ubuntu3) ...
Setting up libevince3-3 (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.6) ...
Setting up evince-common (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.6) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/apparmor.d/usr.bin.evince ...
Setting up evince (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.6) ...
Setting up firefox (20.0+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.3) ...
Please restart all running instances of firefox, or you will experience problems.
Setting up firefox-globalmenu (20.0+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.3) ...
Setting up firefox-gnome-support (20.0+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.3) ...
Setting up firefox-locale-en (20.0+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.3) ...
Setting up flashplugin-installer (11.2.202.280ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up flashplugin-downloader (11.2.202.280ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up gdb (7.4-2012.04-0ubuntu2.1) ...
Setting up geoclue-ubuntu-geoip (0.0.2-0ubuntu6.3) ...
Setting up libgimp2.0 (2.6.12-1ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up gimp-data (2.6.12-1ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up gimp (2.6.12-1ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up gir1.2-accountsservice-1.0 (0.6.15-2ubuntu9.5) ...
Setting up gir1.2-dee-1.0 (1.0.10-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up gir1.2-gkbd-3.0 (3.4.0.2-1ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up gir1.2-gudev-1.0 (175-0ubuntu9.3) ...
Setting up gir1.2-networkmanager-1.0 (0.9.4.0-0ubuntu4.2) ...
Setting up libtelepathy-glib0 (0.18.2-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up gir1.2-telepathyglib-0.12 (0.18.2-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up gnome-games-data (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnotski (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnibbles (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up iagno (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnobots2 (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnomine (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up quadrapassel (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up mahjongg (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnotravex (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnome-sudoku (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnect (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gtali (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up glines (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up glchess (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libnm-gtk-common (0.9.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libnm-gtk0 (0.9.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnome-control-center (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu0.11) ...
Setting up lightsoff (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up swell-foop (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnome-games (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gnome-screenshot (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up gstreamer0.10-pulseaudio (0.10.31-1ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up gwibber-service (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libgwibber2 (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libgwibber-gtk2 (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gwibber (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gwibber-service-facebook (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gwibber-service-identica (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up gwibber-service-twitter (3.4.2-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up inkscape (0.48.3.1-1ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up jockey-common (0.9.7-0ubuntu7.7) ...
Setting up jockey-gtk (0.9.7-0ubuntu7.7) ...
Setting up libfreerdp1 (1.0.1-1ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libfreerdp-plugins-standard (1.0.1-1ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up libnm-glib-vpn1 (0.9.4.0-0ubuntu4.2) ...
Setting up liboverlay-scrollbar-0.2-0 (0.2.16-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up liboverlay-scrollbar3-0.2-0 (0.2.16-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libpurple-bin (1:2.10.3-0ubuntu1.3) ...
Setting up libpurple0 (1:2.10.3-0ubuntu1.3) ...
Setting up libservlet2.5-java (6.0.35-1ubuntu3.2) ...
Setting up libusbmuxd1 (1.0.7-2ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up linux-headers-3.2.0-40 (3.2.0-40.64) ...
Setting up linux-headers-3.2.0-40-generic-pae (3.2.0-40.64) ...
Setting up linux-headers-generic-pae (3.2.0.40.48) ...
Setting up linux-libc-dev (3.2.0-40.64) ...
Setting up nautilus (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu8) ...
Setting up overlay-scrollbar (0.2.16-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up pulseaudio-utils (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up pulseaudio (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up pulseaudio-module-gconf (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up pulseaudio-module-x11 (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up samba-common-bin (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4) ...
Setting up simple-scan (3.4.3-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up software-center (5.2.9) ...
Updating software catalog...this may take a moment.
INFO:softwarecenter.db.pkginfo_impl.aptcache:aptcache.open()
Software catalog update was successful.
Setting up thunderbird (17.0.5+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up thunderbird-globalmenu (17.0.5+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up thunderbird-locale-en (1:17.0.5+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up thunderbird-gnome-support (17.0.5+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up thunderbird-locale-en-us (1:17.0.5+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1) ...
Setting up tomboy (1.10.1-0ubuntu2) ...
Setting up transmission-common (2.51-0ubuntu1.3) ...
Setting up transmission-gtk (2.51-0ubuntu1.3) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-input-all (1:7.6+12ubuntu2) ...
Setting up unattended-upgrades (0.76ubuntu1) ...
Setting up unity-lens-applications (5.18.0-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up usbmuxd (1.0.7-2ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up vino (3.4.2-0ubuntu1.2) ...
Setting up cups-pk-helper (0.2.1.2-1ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up indicator-weather (11.11.28-0ubuntu1.3) ...
Installing indicator-specific icons...
Fixing incomplete weather icons...
Setting up pulseaudio-module-bluetooth (1:1.1-0ubuntu15.2) ...
Setting up libdevmapper1.02.1 (2:1.02.48-4ubuntu7.3) ...
Setting up language-pack-en (1:12.04+20130128) ...
Setting up language-pack-en-base (1:12.04+20130128) ...
Generating locales...
  en_AG.UTF-8... done
  en_AU.UTF-8... done
  en_BW.UTF-8... done
  en_CA.UTF-8... done
  en_DK.UTF-8... done
  en_GB.UTF-8... done
  en_HK.UTF-8... done
  en_IE.UTF-8... done
  en_IN.UTF-8... done
  en_NG.UTF-8... done
  en_NZ.UTF-8... done
  en_PH.UTF-8... done
  en_SG.UTF-8... done
  en_US.UTF-8... up-to-date
  en_ZA.UTF-8... done
  en_ZM.UTF-8... done
  en_ZW.UTF-8... done
Generation complete.
Setting up language-pack-gnome-en (1:12.04+20130128) ...
Setting up language-pack-gnome-en-base (1:12.04+20130128) ...
Setting up libqtgui4 (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-declarative (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-opengl (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up libqt4-svg (4:4.8.1-0ubuntu4.4) ...
Setting up ure (3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up uno-libs3 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-style-human (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up openjdk-6-jre-headless (6b27-1.12.3-0ubuntu1~12.04.1) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/java-6-openjdk/security/java.security ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/java-6-openjdk/fontconfig.properties ...
Setting up openjdk-6-jre-lib (6b27-1.12.3-0ubuntu1~12.04.1) ...
Setting up openjdk-6-jre (6b27-1.12.3-0ubuntu1~12.04.1) ...
Setting up icedtea-6-jre-cacao (6b27-1.12.3-0ubuntu1~12.04.1) ...
Setting up icedtea-6-jre-jamvm (6b27-1.12.3-0ubuntu1~12.04.1) ...
Setting up grub-common (1.99-21ubuntu3.9) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/grub.d/10_linux ...
Setting up grub2-common (1.99-21ubuntu3.9) ...
Setting up grub-pc-bin (1.99-21ubuntu3.9) ...
Setting up grub-pc (1.99-21ubuntu3.9) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/kernel/postrm.d/zz-update-grub ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub ...
Installation finished. No error reported.
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found background image: /usr/share/images/desktop-base/desktop-grub.png
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-33-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-33-generic-pae
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-32-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-32-generic-pae
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-29-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-29-generic-pae
Found Windows 7 (loader) on /dev/sda1
Skipping Windows 7 (loader) on Wubi system
Found Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on /dev/sda2
Skipping Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on Wubi system
done
Setting up libdevmapper-event1.02.1 (2:1.02.48-4ubuntu7.3) ...
Setting up liblvm2app2.2 (2.02.66-4ubuntu7.3) ...
Setting up perl-modules (5.14.2-6ubuntu2.3) ...
Setting up upstart (1.5-0ubuntu7.2) ...
Setting up udev (175-0ubuntu9.3) ...
udev stop/waiting
udev start/running, process 12702
Removing 'diversion of /sbin/udevadm to /sbin/udevadm.upgrade by fake-udev'
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Setting up initramfs-tools (0.99ubuntu13.1) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Setting up dmsetup (2:1.02.48-4ubuntu7.3) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Setting up apparmor (2.7.102-0ubuntu3.7) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/apparmor.d/abstractions/ubuntu-browsers.d/multimedia ...
 * Starting AppArmor profiles Skipping profile in /etc/apparmor.d/disable: usr.bin.firefox
Skipping profile in /etc/apparmor.d/disable: usr.sbin.rsyslogd
                                                                         [ OK ]
 * Reloading AppArmor profiles Skipping profile in /etc/apparmor.d/disable: usr.bin.firefox
Skipping profile in /etc/apparmor.d/disable: usr.sbin.rsyslogd
                                                                         [ OK ]
Setting up cups (1.5.3-0ubuntu6) ...
cups start/running, process 12972
Updating PPD files for cups ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-core (2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.12) ...
Setting up libreoffice-style-tango (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-common (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-core (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-base-core (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-writer (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-calc (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-java-common (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-base (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-draw (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-impress (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-gtk (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-gnome (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up python-uno (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-math (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice-filter-mobiledev (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libreoffice (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up lightdm (1.2.3-0ubuntu2) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/pam.d/lightdm ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/pam.d/lightdm-autologin ...
Setting up linux-image-3.2.0-40-generic-pae (3.2.0-40.64) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: deferring update (hook will be called later)
Examining /etc/kernel/postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/apt-auto-removal 3.2.0-40-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools 3.2.0-40-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
Warning: No support for locale: en_US.utf8
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/pm-utils 3.2.0-40-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/update-notifier 3.2.0-40-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub 3.2.0-40-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found background image: /usr/share/images/desktop-base/desktop-grub.png
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-33-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-33-generic-pae
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-32-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-32-generic-pae
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-29-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-29-generic-pae
Found Windows 7 (loader) on /dev/sda1
Skipping Windows 7 (loader) on Wubi system
Found Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on /dev/sda2
Skipping Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on Wubi system
done
Setting up network-manager (0.9.4.0-0ubuntu4.2) ...
Setting up rsyslog (5.8.6-1ubuntu8.1) ...
Skipping profile in /etc/apparmor.d/disable: usr.sbin.rsyslogd
rsyslog stop/waiting
rsyslog start/running, process 20055
Setting up ubuntu-minimal (1.267.1) ...
Setting up alsa-base (1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up apport (2.0.1-0ubuntu17.1) ...
apport start/running
Setting up apport-gtk (2.0.1-0ubuntu17.1) ...
Setting up checkbox (0.13.9) ...
Setting up checkbox-qt (0.13.9) ...
Setting up libreoffice-help-en-us (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up linux-image-generic-pae (3.2.0.40.48) ...
Setting up linux-generic-pae (3.2.0.40.48) ...
Setting up network-manager-gnome (0.9.4.1-0ubuntu2.2) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-video-intel (2:2.17.0-1ubuntu4.3) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-video-nouveau (1:0.0.16+git20111201+b5534a1-1build3) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-video-qxl (0.0.16-2ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-video-all (1:7.6+12ubuntu2) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg (1:7.6+12ubuntu2) ...
Setting up xorg (1:7.6+12ubuntu2) ...
Setting up ubuntu-desktop (1.267.1) ...
Setting up perl (5.14.2-6ubuntu2.3) ...
Setting up plymouth (0.8.2-2ubuntu31) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Setting up mountall (2.36.4) ...
Setting up plymouth-label (0.8.2-2ubuntu31) ...
Setting up plymouth-theme-ubuntu-text (0.8.2-2ubuntu31) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Setting up plymouth-theme-ubuntu-logo (0.8.2-2ubuntu31) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Processing triggers for libreoffice-common ...
Setting up libreoffice-emailmerge (1:3.5.7-0ubuntu4) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
Processing triggers for menu ...
Processing triggers for bamfdaemon ...
Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/bamf.index...
Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-40-generic-pae
Warning: No support for locale: en_US.utf8
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ find /etc/apt -name '*.list' -exec bash -c 'echo -e "\n$1\n"; cat -n "$1"' _ '{}' \;

/etc/apt/sources.list

     1 # deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS _Precise Pangolin_ - Release i386 (20120817.3)]/ precise main restricted
     2
     3 # See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
     4 # newer versions of the distribution.
     5 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted
     6 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted
     7
     8 ## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
     9 ## distribution.
    10 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted
    11 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted
    12
    13 ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
    14 ## team. Also, please note that software in universe WILL NOT receive any
    15 ## review or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
    16 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise universe
    17 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise universe
    18 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates universe
    19 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates universe
    20
    21 ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
    22 ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
    23 ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
    24 ## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
    25 ## security team.
    26 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise multiverse
    27 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise multiverse
    28 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates multiverse
    29 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates multiverse
    30
    31 ## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
    32 ## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
    33 ## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
    34 ## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
    35 ## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
    36 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    37 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    38
    39 deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security main restricted
    40 deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security main restricted
    41 deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security universe
    42 deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security universe
    43 deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security multiverse
    44 deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security multiverse
    45
    46 ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Canonical's
    47 ## 'partner' repository.
    48 ## This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is offered by Canonical and the
    49 ## respective vendors as a service to Ubuntu users.
    50 # deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu precise partner
    51 # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu precise partner
    52
    53 ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Ubuntu's
    54 ## 'extras' repository.
    55 ## This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is offered by third-party
    56 ## developers who want to ship their latest software.
    57 # deb http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise main
    58 # deb-src http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise main

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/private-ppa.launchpad.net_commercial-ppa-uploaders_crossover-trial_ubuntu.list

     1 deb https://private-ppa.launchpad.net/commercial-ppa-uploaders/crossover-trial/ubuntu precise main #Added by software-center; credentials stored in /etc/apt/auth.conf

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list

     1 ### THIS FILE IS AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURED ###
     2 # You may comment out this entry, but any other modifications may be lost.
     3 deb http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/private-ppa.launchpad.net_commercial-ppa-uploaders_magic8ball_ubuntu.list

     1 deb https://private-ppa.launchpad.net/commercial-ppa-uploaders/magic8ball/ubuntu precise main #Added by software-center; credentials stored in /etc/apt/auth.conf
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$

apparently running through those troubleshooting steps fixed the problem, because now that I ran all that and restarted the netbook, it seems to be working fine, and the software center doesn't crash or give me errors anymore. Yay! Thanks for the help. =)

Nice to see that updating works well again.

There seems to be one additional configuration problem on your system, leading to the warning
"Warning: No support for locale: en_US.utf8"

The command to get rid of that warning should be:
sudo locale-gen --purge --no-archive

Gah. Ok, maybe it wasn't as fixed as I thought.

Went to run the software updater today and got this error:

Could not initialize the package information

An unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package information.

Please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and include the following error message:

'E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_precise-security_main_i18n_Translation-en, E:The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.'

I went back and did the command that Manfred suggested (sudo locale-gen --purge --no-archive) and the result was:
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo locale-gen --purge --no-archive
[sudo] password for wawilwert:
Generating locales...
  en_AG.UTF-8... done
  en_AU.UTF-8... done
  en_BW.UTF-8... done
  en_CA.UTF-8... done
  en_DK.UTF-8... done
  en_GB.UTF-8... done
  en_HK.UTF-8... done
  en_IE.UTF-8... done
  en_IN.UTF-8... done
  en_NG.UTF-8... done
  en_NZ.UTF-8... done
  en_PH.UTF-8... done
  en_SG.UTF-8... done
  en_US.UTF-8... done
  en_ZA.UTF-8... done
  en_ZM.UTF-8... done
  en_ZW.UTF-8... done
Generation complete.

Will try the troubleshooting stuff again and see what comes up this time....

Setting thread status to "answered".

Don't forget about post #2 in this thread....

That's what I'm doing right now, Mark....

So far, here's what's happened...

Generation complete.
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo grep -R proxy /etc/apt/*
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ grep proxy /etc/environment
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ echo $http_proxy

wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ echo $ftp_proxy

wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ grep proxy /etc/bash.bashrc
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ cat /etc/apt/apt.conf
cat: /etc/apt/apt.conf: No such file or directory
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo fuser -vvv /var/lib/dpkg/lock
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ cat /etc/apt/apt.conf
cat: /etc/apt/apt.conf: No such file or directory
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo fuser -vvv /var/lib/dpkg/lock
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ cat /etc/lsb-release
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=12.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=precise
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS"
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ uname -a
Linux ubuntu 3.2.0-40-generic-pae #64-Ubuntu SMP Mon Mar 25 21:44:41 UTC 2013 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$

wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo cp -arf /var/lib/dpkg /var/lib/dpkg.backup
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/status /var/lib/dpkg/status-bad
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status || sudo cp /var/backups/apt.extended_states.0 /var/lib/dpkg/status
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/available /var/lib/dpkg/available-bad
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/available-old /var/lib/dpkg/available
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo rm -rf /var/lib/dpkg/updates/*
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo rm /var/cache/apt/*.bin
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo mkdir /var/lib/apt/lists
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo mkdir /var/lib/apt/lists/partial
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get clean
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get autoclean
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get --purge autoremove
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
3 not fully installed or removed.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Setting up python-smartpm (1.4-2) ...
Setting up smartpm-core (1.4-2) ...
Setting up smartpm (1.4-2) ...
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get --fix-missing update -o APT::Cache-Limit=100000000
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:2 http://dl.google.com stable Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:4 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release [49.6 kB]
Get:6 http://dl.google.com stable Release [1347 B]
Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release [49.6 kB]
Get:8 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:9 http://archive.canonical.com precise Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:10 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release [49.6 kB]
Get:11 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release [49.6 kB]
Get:12 http://archive.canonical.com precise Release [7078 B]
Get:13 http://dl.google.com stable/main i386 Packages [1233 B]
Get:14 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources [934 kB]
Ign http://dl.google.com stable/main TranslationIndex
Get:15 http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner i386 Packages [5853 B]
Get:16 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Sources [66.5 kB]
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner TranslationIndex
Ign http://dl.google.com stable/main Translation-en
Get:17 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Sources [2494 B]
Get:18 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Sources [24.0 kB]
Get:19 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Sources [1389 B]
Get:20 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main i386 Packages [250 kB]
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en
Get:21 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Sources [5470 B]
Get:22 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Sources [5019 kB]
Get:23 https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release.gpg [316 B]
Get:24 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted i386 Packages [4620 B]
Get:25 https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release.gpg [316 B]
Get:26 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe i386 Packages [73.5 kB]
Get:27 https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release [11.9 kB]
Get:28 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse i386 Packages [2368 B]
Get:29 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main TranslationIndex [74 B]
Get:30 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse TranslationIndex [71 B]
Get:31 https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release [11.9 kB]
Get:32 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted TranslationIndex [72 B]
Get:33 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe TranslationIndex [73 B]
Get:34 https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main i386 Packages [1274 B]
Get:35 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Translation-en [116 kB]
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main TranslationIndex
Get:36 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Translation-en [995 B]
Get:37 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Translation-en [1253 B]
Get:38 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en [45.0 kB]
Get:39 https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main i386 Packages [380 B]
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main TranslationIndex
Get:40 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Sources [155 kB]
Get:41 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages [1274 kB]
Get:42 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted i386 Packages [8431 B]
Get:43 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe i386 Packages [4796 kB]
Get:44 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse i386 Packages [121 kB]
Get:45 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex [3706 B]
Get:46 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse TranslationIndex [2676 B]
Get:47 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted TranslationIndex [2596 B]
Get:48 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe TranslationIndex [2922 B]
Get:49 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Sources [378 kB]
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main Translation-en
Get:50 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Sources [5467 B]
Get:51 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Sources [83.9 kB]
Get:52 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Sources [6562 B]
Get:53 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main i386 Packages [611 kB]
Get:54 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted i386 Packages [10.0 kB]
Get:55 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe i386 Packages [196 kB]
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main Translation-en
Get:56 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse i386 Packages [13.8 kB]
Get:57 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main TranslationIndex [3564 B]
Get:58 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse TranslationIndex [2605 B]
Get:59 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted TranslationIndex [2461 B]
Get:60 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe TranslationIndex [2850 B]
Get:61 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Sources [2422 B]
Get:62 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Sources [14 B]
Get:63 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Sources [24.2 kB]
Get:64 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Sources [2669 B]
Get:65 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main i386 Packages [1941 B]
Get:66 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted i386 Packages [14 B]
Get:67 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe i386 Packages [24.4 kB]
Get:68 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages [2504 B]
Get:69 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main TranslationIndex [72 B]
Get:70 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse TranslationIndex [72 B]
Get:71 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted TranslationIndex [70 B]
Get:72 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe TranslationIndex [73 B]
Get:73 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en [726 kB]
Get:74 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Translation-en [93.4 kB]
Get:75 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Translation-en [2395 B]
Get:76 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Translation-en [3341 kB]
Get:77 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Translation-en [268 kB]
Get:78 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Translation-en [7834 B]
Get:79 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Translation-en [2432 B]
Get:80 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Translation-en [114 kB]
Get:81 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Translation-en [1244 B]
Get:82 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Translation-en [1476 B]
Get:83 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Translation-en [14 B]
Get:84 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Translation-en [17.4 kB]
Fetched 19.1 MB in 38s (502 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$

wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ sudo dpkg --clear-avail
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 10 not upgraded.
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get --fix-missing install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 10 not upgraded.
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ LANG=C;sudo apt-get update -o APT::Cache-Limit=100000000 && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Get:1 http://dl.google.com stable Release.gpg [198 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release.gpg
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release.gpg
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release
Get:2 http://dl.google.com stable Release [1347 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release.gpg
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Get:3 http://dl.google.com stable/main i386 Packages [1233 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Sources
Ign http://dl.google.com stable/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Sources
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Sources
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main i386 Packages
Ign http://dl.google.com stable/main Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Sources
Hit https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release.gpg
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release.gpg
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Sources
Hit https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Hit https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Translation-en
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Translation-en
Hit https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main i386 Packages
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main TranslationIndex
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main Translation-en
Ign https://private-ppa.launchpad.net precise/main Translation-en
Fetched 2778 B in 16s (167 B/s)
Reading package lists... Done
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
  libcurl3 libcurl3-gnutls libcurl3-nss libpam-winbind libsmbclient
  libwbclient0 samba-common samba-common-bin smbclient winbind
10 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 28.3 MB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libcurl3-gnutls i386 7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1 [233 kB]
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libcurl3 i386 7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1 [242 kB]
Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libcurl3-nss i386 7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1 [239 kB]
Get:4 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libpam-winbind i386 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [623 kB]
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main winbind i386 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [4393 kB]
Get:6 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libwbclient0 i386 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [31.0 kB]
Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main smbclient i386 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [14.0 MB]
Get:8 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main samba-common all 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [326 kB]
Get:9 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libsmbclient i386 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [2135 kB]
Get:10 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main samba-common-bin i386 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6 [6150 kB]
Fetched 28.3 MB in 36s (781 kB/s)
Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 243437 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace libcurl3-gnutls 7.22.0-3ubuntu4 (using .../libcurl3-gnutls_7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libcurl3-gnutls ...
Preparing to replace libcurl3 7.22.0-3ubuntu4 (using .../libcurl3_7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libcurl3 ...
Preparing to replace libcurl3-nss 7.22.0-3ubuntu4 (using .../libcurl3-nss_7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libcurl3-nss ...
Preparing to replace libpam-winbind 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../libpam-winbind_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libpam-winbind ...
Preparing to replace winbind 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../winbind_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_i386.deb) ...
 * Stopping the Winbind daemon winbind [ OK ]
Unpacking replacement winbind ...
Preparing to replace libwbclient0 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../libwbclient0_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libwbclient0 ...
Preparing to replace smbclient 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../smbclient_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement smbclient ...
Preparing to replace samba-common 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../samba-common_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement samba-common ...
Preparing to replace libsmbclient 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../libsmbclient_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libsmbclient ...
Preparing to replace samba-common-bin 2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4 (using .../samba-common-bin_2%3a3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement samba-common-bin ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Processing triggers for ureadahead ...
ureadahead will be reprofiled on next reboot
Setting up libcurl3-gnutls (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1) ...
Setting up libcurl3 (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1) ...
Setting up libcurl3-nss (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.1) ...
Setting up libwbclient0 (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
Setting up samba-common (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
Setting up winbind (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
 * Starting the Winbind daemon winbind [ OK ]
Setting up libpam-winbind (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
Setting up smbclient (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
Setting up libsmbclient (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
Setting up samba-common-bin (2:3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$

wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ find /etc/apt -name '*.list' -exec bash -c 'echo -e "\n$1\n"; cat -n "$1"' _ '{}' \;

/etc/apt/sources.list

     1 # deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS _Precise Pangolin_ - Release i386 (20120817.3)]/ precise main restricted
     2
     3 # See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
     4 # newer versions of the distribution.
     5 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted
     6 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted
     7
     8 ## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
     9 ## distribution.
    10 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted
    11 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted
    12
    13 ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
    14 ## team. Also, please note that software in universe WILL NOT receive any
    15 ## review or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
    16 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise universe
    17 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise universe
    18 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates universe
    19 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates universe
    20
    21 ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
    22 ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
    23 ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
    24 ## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
    25 ## security team.
    26 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise multiverse
    27 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise multiverse
    28 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates multiverse
    29 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates multiverse
    30
    31 ## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
    32 ## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
    33 ## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
    34 ## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
    35 ## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
    36 deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    37 deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    38
    39 deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security main restricted
    40 deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security main restricted
    41 deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security universe
    42 deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security universe
    43 deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security multiverse
    44 deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise-security multiverse
    45
    46 ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Canonical's
    47 ## 'partner' repository.
    48 ## This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is offered by Canonical and the
    49 ## respective vendors as a service to Ubuntu users.
    50 # deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu precise partner
    51 # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu precise partner
    52
    53 ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Ubuntu's
    54 ## 'extras' repository.
    55 ## This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is offered by third-party
    56 ## developers who want to ship their latest software.
    57 # deb http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise main
    58 # deb-src http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu precise main

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/private-ppa.launchpad.net_commercial-ppa-uploaders_crossover-trial_ubuntu.list

     1 deb https://private-ppa.launchpad.net/commercial-ppa-uploaders/crossover-trial/ubuntu precise main #Added by software-center; credentials stored in /etc/apt/auth.conf

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list

     1 ### THIS FILE IS AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURED ###
     2 # You may comment out this entry, but any other modifications may be lost.
     3 deb http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/precise-partner.list

     1 deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu precise partner #Added by software-center

/etc/apt/sources.list.d/private-ppa.launchpad.net_commercial-ppa-uploaders_magic8ball_ubuntu.list

     1 deb https://private-ppa.launchpad.net/commercial-ppa-uploaders/magic8ball/ubuntu precise main #Added by software-center; credentials stored in /etc/apt/auth.conf
wawilwert@ubuntu:~$

So, back in post #10, I noticed this:

wawilwert@ubuntu:~$ cat /etc/apt/apt.conf
cat: /etc/apt/apt.conf: No such file or directory

What would cause that to have been deleted again?

My procedure seems to have solved your issue.

Please don't worry about /etc/apt/apt.conf.

It is an optional file and it is possible that it was never on your PC.

It is not on my PC either, but sometimes it does exist and then I need to know what has been configured inside the file, for example: a proxy server setting....