update manager error won't update

Can you give the output of:

head -n 55 /etc/apt/sources.list | tail -n 1; echo; lsb_release -a; uname -a

Thanks

Hi, I don't have a clue what your are asking me for can you break it down in lay mans terms?

all I know is that when I click on the update-manager that error message come up...

Copy the whole command and press CTRL+ALT+T and paste the command
Press ENTER and copy the output
Paste here as an update

okay

:~$ E:Type 'x' is not known on line 55 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list, E:The list of sources could not be read
E:Type: command not found
smack@smack-laptop:~$

did I do it right??

No, copy the long command I gave in #1 and then paste it into the terminal and hit ENTER.

:~$ head -n 55 /etc/apt/sources.list | tail -n 1; echo; lsb_release -a; uname -a
x

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS
Release: 10.04
Codename: lucid
Linux smack-laptop 2.6.32-39-generic #86-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 13 21:47:32 UTC 2012 i686 GNU/Linux

:~$ head -n 55 /etc/apt/sources.list | tail -n 1; echo; lsb_release -a; uname -a
x

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS
Release: 10.04
Codename: lucid
Linux smack-laptop 2.6.32-39-generic #86-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 13 21:47:32 UTC 2012 i686 GNU/Linux

yes,. If you run:

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

find the line with the sing x on and delete it, save the new file, close gedit then run:

sudo apt-get update

# deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 9.10 _Karmic Koala_ - Release i386 (20091028.5)]/ karmic main restricted
# See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
# newer versions of the distribution.

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted

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

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team. Also, please note that software in universe WILL NOT receive any
## review or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid universe
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates universe

## 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.
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid multiverse
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates multiverse

## 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://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ karmic-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 karmic partner
# deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu karmic partner

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security main restricted
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security main restricted
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security universe
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security multiverse
deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian lucid contrib
x
exit

^x
^y

This is what came up when I copy paste the thread you posted. Not sure if I understand your instructions, I see an x just before exit then there is ^x then ^y, do I delete the first x?

Please advise because I've typed stuff thinking I solve one problem but only caused another and still have to figure out what to do sot solve the new problem. This is very challenging for me. I am not a computer technician I am just winging it here.

I really appreciate you trying to patiently help me solve this problem. Thanks.

Delete the last 4 lines. They are:

x
exit

^x
^y

In your file, you have some random text in he file which causes issues. If you want to do it in CLI you can run:

head -n 54 /etc/apt/sources.list > ~/temp.list ; sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list; sudo mv ~/temp.list /etc/apt/sources.list

Should be ok now

Reading package lists... Done
W: GPG error: http://ppa.launchpad.net lucid Release: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 4B6071B7D6FDC9D0

this is what was at the end after terminal ran that long list of stuff. What does this mean?

and what do you mean by 'CLI'? What are the random text in 'he' file, don't know what that is. The CLI stuff how do I do that? Thanks.

CLI = command line interface

Using the terminal instead of GUI to manipulate things

BIG HUG!!! Thank you!!! I ran the 'sudo apt-get update' again and this time no messages at the end! I going to try and use my update manager now. Thanks a million for your time and patience with me.

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.