Ubuntu

packages unpacked but not configured

Asked by Lemur

Hello,

I have used xubuntu for a while but never got into the technical side, and don't understand running commands through terminal.

I have several problems that may or may not be connected.

1) I can't open AbiWord - it just half-opens an untitled document but not fully
2) I can't open a document from my email with AbiWord, it tells me /tmp could not be saved, because an unknown error occurred.
3) I can't update from Package Manager, there's just a big red circle that says 'Error: BrokenCount . 0' This usually means that your installed packages have unmet dependencies.

Trying to understand previous answers to similar questions I typed
sudo dpkg --audit
into Terminal.

It told me the following packages have been unpacked but not yet configured. They must be configured using dpkg --configure or the menu option in dselect for them to work.
tzdata java.

I then typed dpkg --configure but it told me I needed superuser priveleges - no idea how I get those!!

Biggest problem is that dissertation is due in 3 weeks and REALLY need a working netbook for that!

Can anyone please help - explaining as simply as possible?

Also looking at previous answers - if you ask what response I get from typing text into Terminal - how do I copy and paste the output? CTRL+C and CTRL+V didnt seem to work.

Thank you, community!

L

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Lemur
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Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

What is the output of:

sudo chmod -r 777 /tmp; sudo apt-get update

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Hamish McIntyre-Bhatty (hamishmb) said : 		#2

Hi,

You can use CTRL-C to copy, but you must paste with CTRL-SHIFT-V for very boring reasons.

you need to type:

sudo dpkg --configure

with the package manes listed afterwards, with spaces inbetween. It will ask you for your password, like this:

[sudo] password for <username>:

Nothing will appear as you type your password (a security feature) then hit enter.

Then enter the following two commands to check everything's okay:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

Please post the output from these commands here (copy with CTRL-SHIFT-C, PASTE with CTRL-V)

I hope this helps,
Hamish

Revision history for this message
Lemur (lemur29) said : 		#3

Hi, thank you both for your prompt responses.

I actually managed to solve my problem through some trial and error, trying things out on Synaptic Package Manager and finding a broken package. Relief!

Although that opens up a new question: how do I know on Xubuntu which packages I really should update and which I can reject? On Windows you are told which are 'recommended' but Xubuntu, some I know I don't want (e.g. games) but many I can't tell if they are important security updates or things which just take up memory - the descriptions are pretty opaque to a non-techie!

Many thanks

L

Revision history for this message
Lemur (lemur29) said : 		#4

Hi, thank you both for your prompt responses.

I actually managed to solve my problem through some trial and error, trying things out on Synaptic Package Manager and finding a broken package. Relief!

Although that opens up a new question: how do I know on Xubuntu which packages I really should update and which I can reject? On Windows you are told which are 'recommended' but Xubuntu, some I know I don't want (e.g. games) but many I can't tell if they are important security updates or things which just take up memory - the descriptions are pretty opaque to a non-techie!

Many thanks

L

Revision history for this message
Hamish McIntyre-Bhatty (hamishmb) said : 		#5

Hi,

Generally, it's wise to install all updates -- that's how they've been
tested
If you pick and choose, you might end up with an untested configuration
and security holes.
In general, updates are either bugfixes or security fixes, and
occasionally new releases.
For Ubuntu and its derivatives, almost all updates will be security or
bugfixes, so it's wise just to install all of them :)

Hamish

Revision history for this message
Lemur (lemur29) said : 		#6

Cheers Hamish - will do that tonight! L