Could not download all repository indexes

Hiya :)
Can you copy and paste the output of the following command from a terminal window:

cat /etc/apt/sources.list

Regards,
Justin

My mistake, it was supposed to be an information request.

Here is the output from the command

atman@atman-desktop:~$ cat /etc/apt/sources.list

deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper main restricted

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper-updates main restricted
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper-updates main restricted

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'universe'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper universe main restricted multiverse# deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper universe

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
# deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security main restricted
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security main restricted
# deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security universe
# deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security universe
atman@atman-desktop:~$

Thanks

Ok, switch up your sources.list with this:
gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

And replace it with:

## Add comments (##) in front of any line to remove it from being checked.
## Use the following sources.list at your own risk.

deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper main restricted universe multiverse

## MAJOR BUG FIX UPDATES produced after the final release
deb http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-updates main restricted universe multiverse

## UBUNTU SECURITY UPDATES
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security main restricted universe multiverse

## BACKPORTS REPOSITORY (Unsupported. May contain illegal packages. Use at own risk.)
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse

Save the file and run:
sudo aptitude update

That should clear up the problems :)
Hope this helps,
Justin

Some of this looks like it shows errors. Is this correct?

atman@atman-desktop:~$ sudo aptitude update
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11 Resource temporarily unavail able)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another proc ess using it?
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Initialising package states... Done
Building tag database... Done
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security Release.gpg [191B]
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security Release
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release.gpg
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Packages
Get:2 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/universe Packages [57.1kB]
Get:3 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release.gpg [189B]
Get:4 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release.gpg [191B]
Get:5 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release.gpg [191B]
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release
Get:6 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release [38.4kB]
Get:7 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/multiverse Packages [2815B]
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Sources
Get:8 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/universe Sources [7450B]
Get:9 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/multiverse Sources [771B]
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/main Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/restricted Packages
Get:10 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe Packages [2380kB]
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Packages
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Packages
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/universe Packages
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/multiverse Packages
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/universe Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/multiverse Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Get:11 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Packages [85.8kB]
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/main Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/restricted Sources
Get:12 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe Sources [975kB]
Get:13 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Sources [46.6kB]
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Sources
Get:14 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/universe Sources [3852B]
Get:15 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/multiverse Sources [733B]
Get:16 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/main Packages [14.5kB]
Get:17 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/restricted Packages [14B]
Get:18 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/universe Packages [47.9kB]
Get:19 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/multiverse Packages [9896B]
Get:20 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/main Sources [4701B]
Get:21 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/restricted Sources [14B]
Get:22 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/universe Sources [12.4kB]
Get:23 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/multiverse Sources [2631B]
Fetched 3691kB in 20s (182kB/s)
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11 Resource temporarily unavail able)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another proc ess using it?
E: Couldn't rebuild package cache
atman@atman-desktop:~$

Ensure that you don't have any programs open such as Synaptic Package Manager or the Add/Remove Applications window, then try again. That usually means you have another program open that is trying to access your sources, though it can only be used by one program at a time :)

Regards,
Justin

It's still showing a few errors. Thanks again for helping.

atman@atman-desktop:~$ sudo aptitude update
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Initialising package states... Done
Building tag database... Done
Get:1 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release.gpg [189B]
Get:2 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release.gpg [191B]
Get:3 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release.gpg [191B]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security Release.gpg [191B]
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security Release
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release.gpg
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/main Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/restricted Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/universe Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/multiverse Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/main Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/restricted Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/multiverse Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/main Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/restricted Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/universe Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/multiverse Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/universe Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/multiverse Packages
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/main Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/restricted Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/universe Sources
Hit http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/multiverse Sources
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Packages
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Packages
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/universe Packages
Ign http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/multiverse Packages
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/universe Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Err http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/multiverse Packages
  Could not resolve ‘gb,archive.ubuntu.com’
Fetched 4B in 1s (2B/s)
Reading package lists... Done
atman@atman-desktop:~$

Thanks Neolithium (Justin Payne), that solved my question.

It's funny how a little comma can mess so much up.

Thank you very much for all your help.

Michael

You've very welcome :)

hi im new in ubuntu. Ive encountered this problem and look for answers in google and gave me this link.. and been reading this thread Question #8217 and go do the same thing but still ive this problem..

root@bugoy:/etc/apt# sudo aptitude update
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Initializing package states... Done
Building tag database... Done
Get:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release.gpg [189B]
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release.gpg [191B]
Get:3 http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release.gpg [189B]
Get:4 http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release.gpg [191B]
Get:5 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security Release.gpg [191B]
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release
Get:6 http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release.gpg [191B]
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security Release
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates Release
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper/main Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Sources
Get:7 http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages [153kB]
99% [7 Packages gzip 0] [Waiting for headers] [Waiting for headers]
gzip: stdin: not in gzip format
Err http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages
  Sub-process gzip returned an error code (1)
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper/restricted Packages
Get:8 http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Packages [95.2kB]
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/main Packages
99% [8 Packages bzip2 0] [Waiting for headers] [Waiting for headers]
bzip2: Data integrity error when decompressing.
        Input file = (stdin), output file = (stdout)

It is possible that the compressed file(s) have become corrupted.
You can use the -tvv option to test integrity of such files.

You can use the `bzip2recover' program to attempt to recover
data from undamaged sections of corrupted files.

Err http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Packages
  Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/multiverse Packages
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports Release
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/main Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/restricted Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Packages
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/main Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/main Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/restricted Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/universe Sources
Hit http://ph.archive.ubuntu.com dapper-backports/multiverse Sources
Fetched 8B in 4s (2B/s)
Reading package lists... Done

btw my 1st problem was this
http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.gz: Sub-process gzip returned an error code (1)
when i reload the Synaptic Package Manager

Another Newbie here maybe you can help me: as you see I typed in:
 gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
and my results will follow. But above you posted this and I am so new to this I cannot figure the steps.
and edit the lines as you directed:
## MAJOR BUG FIX UPDATES produced after the final release
deb http://gb,archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-updates main restricted universe multiverse

Now here is what I get:
 See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
# newer versions of the distribution.

deb http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty universe restricted main
deb-sr c http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty universe restricted #Added by software-properties

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
## security team.

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
# deb http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-proposed universe restricted main
deb-src http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-proposed universe restricted #Added by software-properties
deb http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-backports universe restricted main
deb-src http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-backports universe restricted #Added by software-properties

#AUTOMATIX REPOS START

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-backports multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-backports multiverse #Added by software-properties

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty multiverse #Added by software-properties

#AUTOMATIX REPOS END
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu feisty-commercial main
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security multiverse universe restricted main
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security multiverse universe restricted #Added by software-properties
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates multiverse universe restricted main
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates multiverse universe restricted #Added by software-properties
deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ feisty free non-free

I am wondering if I am missing something in my Reposiory or tht I haven't completely installed something.
I get errors all the time See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
# newer versions of the distribution.

deb http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty universe restricted main
deb-sr c http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty universe restricted #Added by software-properties

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
## security team.

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
# deb http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-proposed universe restricted main
deb-src http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-proposed universe restricted #Added by software-properties
deb http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-backports universe restricted main
deb-src http://ubuntu.mirrors.tds.net/pub/ubuntu/ feisty-backports universe restricted #Added by software-properties

#AUTOMATIX REPOS START

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-backports multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty-backports multiverse #Added by software-properties

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu feisty multiverse #Added by software-properties

#AUTOMATIX REPOS END
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu feisty-commercial main
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security multiverse universe restricted main
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security multiverse universe restricted #Added by software-properties
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates multiverse universe restricted main
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates multiverse universe restricted #Added by software-properties
deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ feisty free non-free

I also think I might not have everything installed in Ubuntu 7.04
When I go to Repository I get errors related to medibunt as well as in the Add/Remove Applications.

When I go Third Party software there are always the following, the first three have a check mark but not the source code.

http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu feisty-commercial main
http://packages.medibuntu.org/feisty free non-free
http://packages.medibuntu.org/feisty free non-free ( yes I realize it is a repeat but that shows in the Repository)
This one isn't checked off: http://packages.medibunty.org/ feisty free non-free (Source code)

I just tried to go into Synaptic and see the error below. HELP HELP!

E: Type 'deb-sr' is not known on line 5 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list
E: The list of sources could not be read.
Go to the repository dialog to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

When reloading or starting Synaptic I get the same error message "Could not download all repository indexes"
Below are associated error messages. I can visit the URLs in firefox so 403 doesn't make sense.
Changing the repository doesn't help. Synaptic was working a few days ago?
I am new to Ubuntu (and all linux) should I/how would I reinstall synaptic/apt-get. That would have been my windows solution?
I have included the output of "cat /etc/apt/sources.list" in case that helps.
Cheers
Rob Mc

Failed to fetch http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/partner/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/multiverse/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/restricted/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/universe/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/main/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/multiverse/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/multiverse/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-security/restricted/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/restricted/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/universe/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/main/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/multiverse/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy/restricted/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/multiverse/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/restricted/binary-amd64/Packages.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/universe/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/main/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/multiverse/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Failed to fetch http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/hardy-updates/restricted/source/Sources.gz 403 Forbidden
Some index files failed to download, they have been ignored, or old ones used instead.
==================================================
and the output of:
rpgm2@rpgm2-laptop:/usr/local/bin$ cat /etc/apt/sources.list

# deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 8.04.1 _Hardy Heron_ - Release amd64 (20080702.1)]/ hardy main restricted
# See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
# newer versions of the distribution.

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
## security team.

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'backports'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
# deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-backports main restricted universe multiverse

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Canonical's
## 'partner' repository. This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is
## offered by Canonical and the respective vendors as a service to Ubuntu
## users.
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu hardy partner
# deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu hardy partner
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy multiverse main universe restricted
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy universe main multiverse restricted
#Added by software-properties
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-security universe main multiverse restricted
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-security universe main multiverse restricted
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates universe main multiverse restricted
deb-src http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates universe main multiverse restricted

Problem solved. System proxy set to use office proxy , firefox correctly set to use home network. Still not sure why Error 403 - site contactable but permission denied? anyway...

@ RobMc

Please don't append a new question on a marked as solved question.

For your "Still not sure why Error 403 - site contactable but permission denied? anyway..."

Please make new question from here: https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+addquestion
you will get better chance to get right answer on a fresh tagged "open" question.
Solved question are usually not read from answering people.

Thank you