Ubuntu
update-manager package

apt-get update fails on GPG error for new precise server installation

Asked by Randy McLaughlin

I recently created a new Precise server. When I apt-get update, I encounter the following error after reading package lists:
W: GPG error: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release: The following signatures were invalid: BADSIG 40976EAF437D05B5 Ubuntu Archive Automatic Signing Key <email address hidden>

I tried the following to no avail:
sudo apt-get clean
cd /var/lib/apt
sudo mv lists lists.old
sudo mkdir -p lists/partial
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update

I also tried the following to no avail:
apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 40976EAF437D05B5

I encountered the same problem with another server installation (these are set up as VirtualBox guests) where I updated from Oneiric to Precise. I eventually abandoned that effort with the thought that setting up a totally new server surely wouldn't encounter such problems.

I apt-get update, get the GPG error, try one of the above solutions, update again and get the error again. Then I go to Google and look for other ideas. Nothing fixes the problem. What else should I be trying?

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Randy McLaughlin
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

What is the output of:

sudo apt-key adv --recv-key --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 40976EAF437D05B5 ; lsb_release -a

Thanks

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Randy McLaughlin (randymized) said : 		#2

The problem is not exactly solved, but I've now abandoned running Ubuntu guests on a Windows host and now boot my computer into Ubuntu, abandoning routine use of Windows. I am not experiencing the GPC error in that environment and Windows-hosted Virtualbox is too broken for me to provide the requested information or to pursue the issue further.