Can't add/remove applications or run update.

Ubuntu 9.04

When you run i a terminal:
sudo apt-get update

Do you get any errors?

I don't think so. It opened update manager. But I think it will hang if I install updates.

What is the output in the terminal when you write
sudo apt-get update
?

Can you post your /etc/apt/sources.list here?

What happens when you try to launch Synaptic? Any messages?

No messages..just tries to launch , then doesn't.

This is the terminal result.

Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty Release.gpg
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/main Translation-en_US
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security Release.gpg
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates Release.gpg
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security Release
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/main Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/universe Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/universe Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/universe Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/universe Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/multiverse Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com jaunty-security/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/multiverse Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/universe Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/multiverse Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-updates/multiverse Sources
Reading package lists... Done

Can you post your /etc/apt/sources.list here?

Launch synaptic from terminal, the you get output of what happens. Any messages?

I'm very new to Ubuntu. How do I launch synaptic?

Synaptic = Synaptic package manager.
You find the terminal and write in "gksudo synaptic" without quotes. Synaptic package manager tries to launch but fails and in the terminal you may get clues of what is wrong.

Nothing has happened. I typed it in, the curser is just flashing on the next line. I thought I saw something try to load in the tool bar for a second, then nothing.

Hm, you should be graphically prompted for a password.
What if you launch in a terminal first just
gedit

Does gedit launch? If so, close it and then.
gksudo gedit

Do you get prompted for any password? Does gedit even load?

gedit opens
gksudo gedit doesn't
Haven't been prompted for a password.

This O.S has been installed with Vmware Fusion on a AppleMac. On setup, I set it so passwords weren't required on startup. I'm not sure if that's any help.

Hm. That is of help. Maybe there's a bug in systems running without passwords.

If a user chooses not to use a password there should be no prompt for password I guess and synaptic should be able to launch. But if something fails when a password is expected when Synaptic Package Manager, gksudo gedit or Software Sources is launched or when installing updates/software then we perhaps get this behaviour.

Could you try to put a password on your account and then see if 'gksudo gedit' prompts for password?
Running a system with password is HIGHLY recommended, but I see your point of not having it when running virtually. But hey, you do not get prompted that many times so it would get irritating.

I'm unsure what to do, anyway I've got to go. I appreciate your time, if you've got any suggestions, please whatever ideas you have. I'll check them out and have another go at it tomorrow. Cheers.

Try setting a password for your user:
run passwd in a terminal
or use system-administration-users and groups

Another option to try to install software (also in terminal):
sudo su # will give you root access for the next commands
synaptic

or even

sudo synaptic

No, never sudo using graphical applications.
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/graphicalsudo

sudo - terminal
gksudo - GUI applications

I originally installed Ubuntu 9.04 in Vmware's fusion on my AppleMacBookPro from an iso image downloaded. I was unable to add/remove or update software. I eventually deleted the install and then reinstalled from disc(iso burnt to disc). This solved the problem. The os should install from an iso in Vmware Fusion but didn't in this case. Thanks for the help.