Ubuntu

can't run synaptic, or apt-get

Asked by dumpa

Hi, I recently downgraded my kernel from an ultimate edition (because it had some problems with the sound in my computer) to the normal one using synaptic and changed the menu.lst file using the following to boot from another kernel.

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Now when I try to install anything using synaptic or the add/remove application or apt-get y get an error message saying I have to run dpkg --configure -a, when I do that I get the following:

dumpa@ju-cald1:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo: unable to resolve host ju-cald1
[sudo] password for dumpa:
Setting up initramfs-tools (0.85eubuntu39.2) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)

Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.25.9-ultimate
Cannot find /lib/modules/2.6.25.9-ultimate
update-initramfs: failed for /boot/initrd.img-2.6.25.9-ultimate
dpkg: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
dumpa@ju-cald1:~$

I'm lost over here. I was going to run a new clean ubuntu install but my cdrom is broken.
Any ideas how to fix this, thanks.

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dumpa
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dumpa (dumpita) said : 		#1

Hi,

I fixed the error
sudo: unable to resolve host ju-cald1

looking at the forum http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=615579

now I'm able to run sudo.

when I run

sudo dpkg --configure -a
[sudo] password for dumpa:
Setting up initramfs-tools (0.85eubuntu39.2) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)

Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.25.9-ultimate
Cannot find /lib/modules/2.6.25.9-ultimate
update-initramfs: failed for /boot/initrd.img-2.6.25.9-ultimate
dpkg: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1

as if the previous kernel was not completely removed.

Revision history for this message
dumpa (dumpita) said : 		#2

I tried
 sudo update-initramfs -k 2.6.25.9-ultimate -d
Cannot delete /boot/initrd.img-2.6.25.9-ultimate, doesn't exist.

without any luck

Revision history for this message
Tang (robertmcgreg) said : 		#3

Hi, Dumpa, if you choose to try this solution, can you please let us know how it goes?
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

Revision history for this message
dumpa (dumpita) said : 		#4

got a new computer now, thanks

Revision history for this message
laptoplinux (laptoplinux) said : 		#5

I have this EXACT same problem! Is there any solution other than a clean install???

p:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
Setting up initramfs-tools (0.85eubuntu39.3) ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)

Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-ultimate
Cannot find /lib/modules/2.6.28-ultimate
update-initramfs: failed for /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-ultimate
dpkg: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1

Revision history for this message
laptoplinux (laptoplinux) said : 		#6

I used pending intead of -a and that seems to have fixed it.

--configure package...|-a|--pending
               Reconfigure an unpacked package. If -a or --pending is given
               instead of package, all unpacked but unconfigured packages are
               configured.

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#7

Why you use the unofficial Ubuntu ultimate...?

I think the best is to refer and tell them this issue to the http://ultimateedition.info/

Hope this helps

Revision history for this message
laptoplinux (laptoplinux) said : 		#8

In my case I wasn't using it. I was running the official kernel from the Hardy Repo's. That is why the problem was so bizarre.