Ubuntu
update-manager package

Question #127733]: update manager will not run

Asked by Leif Persson

The following is what I get when I do the troubleshooting, I hope it helps, to me it seems that a package is not being found.

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# cat /etc/lsb-release
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=9.10
DISTRIB_CODENAME=karmic
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 9.10"

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# uname -a
Linux leif-laptop 2.6.31-22-generic #60-Ubuntu SMP Thu May 27 00:22:23 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
rm: cannot remove `/var/lib/apt/lists/lock': No such file or directory

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo cp -arf /var/lib/dpkg /var/lib/dpkg.backup

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/available-old /var/lib/dpkg/available

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/available-old /var/lib/dpkg/available

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo rm -rf /var/lib/dpkg/updates/*

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo mkdir /var/lib/apt/lists

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo mkdir /var/lib/apt/lists/partial

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo rm /var/cache/apt/*.bin

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# LANG=C;sudo apt-get clean

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# LANG=C;sudo apt-get autoclean
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# LANG=C;sudo apt-get --purge autoremove
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# LANG=C;sudo apt-get update -o APT::Cache-Limit=25165824
Get:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release.gpg [189B]
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release.gpg [198B]
Get:3 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release.gpg [198B]
Get:4 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release [65.9kB]
Get:5 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release [51.3kB]
Get:6 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release [51.3kB]
Get:7 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Packages [1353kB]
Get:8 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Packages [7971B]
Get:9 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Sources [640kB]
Get:10 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Sources [3270B]
Get:11 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Packages [5133kB]
Get:12 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Sources [2795kB]
Get:13 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Packages [190kB]
Get:14 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Sources [116kB]
Get:15 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Packages [304kB]
Get:16 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Packages [1631B]
Get:17 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Sources [154kB]
Get:18 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Sources [878B]
Get:19 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Packages [181kB]
Get:20 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Sources [61.0kB]
Get:21 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Packages [11.3kB]
Get:22 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Sources [5661B]
Get:23 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Packages [189kB]
Get:24 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Packages [14B]
Get:25 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Sources [115kB]
Get:26 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Sources [14B]
Get:27 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Packages [88.8kB]
Get:28 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Sources [30.8kB]
Get:29 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Packages [2004B]
Get:30 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Sources [651B]
Fetched 11.6MB in 12s (912kB/s)
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo dpkg --clear-avail

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# sudo dpkg --configure -a
dpkg: parse error, in file '/var/lib/dpkg/status' near line 1247:
 missing package name

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# LANG=C;sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

root@leif-laptop:/home/leif# LANG=C;sudo apt-get update -o APT::Cache-Limit=25165824 && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Sources
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
root@leif-laptop:/home/leif#

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu update-manager Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
marcobra (Marco Braida)
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#1

try running the following from a terminal:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Revision history for this message
Leif Persson (viking-canadian) said : 		#2

Still no go when I run the commands I get the following output

Thanks for the help

leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo apt-get update
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Sources
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
leif@leif-laptop:~$

Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#3

OK...

Try this.

sudo apt-get update -o APT::Cache-Limit=25165824

Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#4

If that does not work -- try this next:

sudo rm -vf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

Revision history for this message
Leif Persson (viking-canadian) said : 		#5

this is what the output is for that command

Thank you for the assistance

leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo rm -vf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
[sudo] password for leif:
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_main_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_main_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_multiverse_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_Release'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_Release.gpg'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_restricted_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_restricted_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_main_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_main_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_multiverse_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_Release'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_Release.gpg'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_restricted_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_restricted_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_universe_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-security_universe_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_universe_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic_universe_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_main_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_main_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_multiverse_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_Release'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_Release.gpg'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_restricted_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_restricted_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_universe_binary-i386_Packages'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_karmic-updates_universe_source_Sources'
removed `/var/lib/apt/lists/lock'
rm: cannot remove `/var/lib/apt/lists/partial': Is a directory
leif@leif-laptop:~$

--- On Mon, 10/4/10, Charles Profitt <email address hidden> wrote:

> From: Charles Profitt <email address hidden>
> Subject: Re: [Question #127797]: Question #127733]: update manager will not run
> To: <email address hidden>
> Date: Monday, October 4, 2010, 2:25 AM
> Your question #127797 on
> update-manager in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797
>
> Charles Profitt proposed the following answer:
> If that does not work -- try this next:
>
> sudo rm -vf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following
> page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797/+confirm?answer_id=3
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go
> to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797
>
> You received this question notification because you are a
> direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Leif Persson (viking-canadian) said : 		#6

This is the output for the command, getting same error at end:

leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo apt-get update -o APT::Cache-Limit=25165824
Get:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release.gpg [189B]
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Translation-en_US
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release.gpg [198B]
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Get:3 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release.gpg [198B]
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Get:4 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release [65.9kB]
Get:5 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release [51.3kB]
Get:6 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release [51.3kB]
Get:7 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Packages [1,353kB]
Get:8 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Packages [7,971B]
Get:9 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Sources [640kB]
Get:10 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Sources [3,270B]
Get:11 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Packages [5,133kB]
Get:12 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Sources [2,795kB]
Get:13 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Packages [190kB]
Get:14 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Sources [116kB]
Get:15 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Packages [304kB]
Get:16 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Packages [1,631B]
Get:17 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Sources [154kB]
Get:18 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Sources [878B]
Get:19 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Packages [181kB]
Get:20 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Sources [61.0kB]
Get:21 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Packages [11.3kB]
Get:22 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Sources [5,661B]
Get:23 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Packages [189kB]
Get:24 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Packages [14B]
Get:25 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Sources [115kB]
Get:26 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Sources [14B]
Get:27 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Packages [88.8kB]
Get:28 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Sources [30.8kB]
Get:29 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Packages [2,004B]
Get:30 http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Sources [651B]
Fetched 11.6MB in 45s (252kB/s)
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
leif@leif-laptop:~$

--- On Mon, 10/4/10, Charles Profitt <email address hidden> wrote:

> From: Charles Profitt <email address hidden>
> Subject: Re: [Question #127797]: Question #127733]: update manager will not run
> To: <email address hidden>
> Date: Monday, October 4, 2010, 2:25 AM
> Your question #127797 on
> update-manager in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797
>
>     Status: Open => Answered
>
> Charles Profitt proposed the following answer:
> OK...
>
> Try this.
>
> sudo apt-get update -o APT::Cache-Limit=25165824
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following
> page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go
> to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797
>
> You received this question notification because you are a
> direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#7

You can try this:

sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/status /var/lib/dpkg/status-RENAMED
sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#8

You can try this:

sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/status /var/lib/dpkg/status-RENAMED
sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#9

Hope it helps.
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/127373

Revision history for this message
Leif Persson (viking-canadian) said : 		#10

Ran the other commans but still no go. Says either no such file or directory or
Encountered a section with no Package: header; Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status; finally The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened. I checked and the status file is there I even tried to run it under root still no go. Any other ideas? Thank you

leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/status /var/lib/dpkg/status-RENAMED
mv: cannot stat `/var/lib/dpkg/status': No such file or directory
leif@leif-laptop:~$

leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status

leif@leif-laptop:~$ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic/multiverse Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-updates/multiverse Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/main Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/universe Sources
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com karmic-security/multiverse Sources
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
leif@leif-laptop:~$

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#11

> E:Encountered a section with no Package: header
> dpkg: parse error, in file '/var/lib/dpkg/status' near line 1247: missing package name

Regarding the above my 2cents.

Test if permissions are correct.
stat -c "%a %n" /var/lib/dpkg/status

should output:
644 /var/lib/dpkg/status

If positive open the file
gksudo gedit /var/lib/dpkg/status

Search for line 1247.
e.g. line here is:
Package: libfreetype6

If it isn't 1247 (which should be empty in your case), then get a cup of coffee (might be better than reinstallation).
Press ctrl+F
insert exactly:
Package:

and start the search.

If you find the empty line post the complete section here.
e.g.
Package: libfreetype6 ## this would be empty in your file of course.
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: libs
Installed-Size: 796
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <email address hidden>
Architecture: amd64
Source: freetype
Version: 2.3.11-1ubuntu2.2
Depends: libc6 (>= 2.11), zlib1g (>= 1:1.1.4)
Conflicts: freetype, xpdf-reader (<< 1.00-4)
Description: FreeType 2 font engine, shared library files
 The FreeType project is a team of volunteers who develop free,
 portable and high-quality software solutions for digital typography.
 They specifically target embedded systems and focus on bringing small,
 efficient and ubiquitous products.
 .
 The FreeType 2 library is their new software font engine. It has been
 designed to provide the following important features:
  * A universal and simple API to manage font files
  * Support for several font formats through loadable modules
  * High-quality anti-aliasing
  * High portability & performance
 .
 Supported font formats include:
  * TrueType files (.ttf) and collections (.ttc)
  * Type 1 font files both in ASCII (.pfa) or binary (.pfb) format
  * Type 1 Multiple Master fonts. The FreeType 2 API also provides
    routines to manage design instances easily
  * Type 1 CID-keyed fonts
  * OpenType/CFF (.otf) fonts
  * CFF/Type 2 fonts
  * Adobe CEF fonts (.cef), used to embed fonts in SVG documents with
    the Adobe SVG viewer plugin.
  * Windows FNT/FON bitmap fonts
 .
 This package contains the files needed to run programs that use the
 FreeType 2 library.
 .
  Home Page: http://www.freetype.org/
  Authors: David Turner <email address hidden>
           Robert Wilhelm <email address hidden>
           Werner Lemberg <email address hidden>
Original-Maintainer: Steve Langasek <email address hidden>

Or if you remember after which package update the hassle started search for the package name artefacts.

Or create everything new Bug #283529 and run afterwards.
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get -f install

Revision history for this message
Leif Persson (viking-canadian) said : 		#12

Line 1247 is to do with firefox, however, there is a typo the the beginning ot the section packige vice package Line 1247 is the last line I pasted

Packige: ubufox
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: web
Installed-Size: 348
Maintainer: Alexander Sack <email address hidden>
Architecture: all
Version: 0.9~rc2-0ubuntu0.9.10.1
Depends: firefox | abrowser | firefox-3.0 | firefox-2, apturl (>= 0.1.2ubuntu1) | apturl-kde
Conffiles:
 /etc/firefox-3.0/pref/ubufox.js 307ddad6fcc3e785ffaa08d9d5ca2809
Description: Ubuntu Firefox specific configuration defaults and apt support
 Extension package for Firefox provides ubuntu specific configuration defaults
 as well as apt support for firefox plugins/extensions.
 .
 You can uninstall this package if you prefer to use a pristine firefox
 install.

--- On Mon, 10/4/10, Sam <email address hidden> wrote:

> From: Sam <email address hidden>
> Subject: Re: [Question #127797]: Question #127733]: update manager will not run
> To: <email address hidden>
> Date: Monday, October 4, 2010, 9:44 PM
> Your question #127797 on
> update-manager in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797
>
>     Status: Open => Answered
>
> Sam proposed the following answer:
> > E:Encountered a section with no Package: header
> > dpkg: parse error, in file '/var/lib/dpkg/status' near
> line 1247: missing package name
>
> Regarding the above my 2cents.
>
> Test if permissions are correct.
> stat -c "%a %n" /var/lib/dpkg/status
>
> should output:
> 644 /var/lib/dpkg/status
>
> If positive open the file
> gksudo gedit /var/lib/dpkg/status
>
> Search for line 1247.
> e.g. line here is:
> Package: libfreetype6
>
> If it isn't 1247 (which should be empty in your case), then
> get a cup of coffee (might be better than reinstallation).
> Press ctrl+F
> insert exactly:
> Package:
>
> and start the search.
>
> If you find the empty line post the complete section here.
> e.g.
> Package: libfreetype6   ## this would be
> empty in your file of course.
> Status: install ok installed
> Priority: optional
> Section: libs
> Installed-Size: 796
> Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <email address hidden>
> Architecture: amd64
> Source: freetype
> Version: 2.3.11-1ubuntu2.2
> Depends: libc6 (>= 2.11), zlib1g (>= 1:1.1.4)
> Conflicts: freetype, xpdf-reader (<< 1.00-4)
> Description: FreeType 2 font engine, shared library files
> The FreeType project is a team of volunteers who develop
> free,
> portable and high-quality software solutions for digital
> typography.
> They specifically target embedded systems and focus on
> bringing small,
> efficient and ubiquitous products.
> .
> The FreeType 2 library is their new software font
> engine.  It has been
> designed to provide the following important features:
>   * A universal and simple API to manage font files
>   * Support for several font formats through loadable
> modules
>   * High-quality anti-aliasing
>   * High portability & performance
> .
> Supported font formats include:
>   * TrueType files (.ttf) and collections (.ttc)
>   * Type 1 font files both in ASCII (.pfa) or binary
> (.pfb) format
>   * Type 1 Multiple Master fonts.  The FreeType 2
> API also provides
>     routines to manage design instances easily
>   * Type 1 CID-keyed fonts
>   * OpenType/CFF (.otf) fonts
>   * CFF/Type 2 fonts
>   * Adobe CEF fonts (.cef), used to embed fonts in SVG
> documents with
>     the Adobe SVG viewer plugin.
>   * Windows FNT/FON bitmap fonts
> .
> This package contains the files needed to run programs
> that use the
> FreeType 2 library.
> .
>   Home Page: http://www.freetype.org/
>   Authors: David Turner   <email address hidden>
>            Robert
> Wilhelm <email address hidden>
>            Werner
> Lemberg <email address hidden>
> Original-Maintainer: Steve Langasek <email address hidden>
>
>
> Or if you remember after which package update the hassle
> started search for the package name artefacts.
>
> Or create everything new Bug #283529 and run afterwards.
> sudo dpkg --configure -a
> sudo apt-get update
> sudo apt-get upgrade
> sudo apt-get -f install
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following
> page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797/+confirm?answer_id=10
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go
> to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/127797
>
> You received this question notification because you are a
> direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#13

ubufox is just an extension of Firefox, as it says
> Extension package for Firefox
 so the name and else is correct.

Revision history for this message
Best marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#14

Seems the word "Packige: ubufox" must be dress to "Package: ubufox"

please try to edit the file and retry

Revision history for this message
Leif Persson (viking-canadian) said : 		#15

That did it but had to do search and replace for packige to package. More than 5 time it was in the file.

Thanks for all your assistance

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#16

Oh my, I thought it says 'Packige' due to swedish local because of your name, that's why I wasn't suspicious.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Leif_G._W._Persson
Glad you solved it finally.