Ubuntu
update-manager package

Update attempt fails the following comments: could not install "/var/cache/apt/archives/totem-gstreamer_2.22.1-Oubunto3_i386.deb"

Asked by Rodney

After I noticed the update flag in the upper right hand corner of the screen, I clicked on it and the update manager ran, I entered my password as requested, the update manager ran for a bit then quit with the following message "could not install "/var/cache/apt/archives/totem-gstreamer_2.22.1-Oubunto3_i386.deb"
The screen gave me the option of running a partial upgrade which I tried to do and then got the following message: unable to make a backup link of "usr/share/applications/token-gstreamer.desktop'
I am at a loss in how to attempt to recover from this and get the system back in proper working order. fortunately, I still have internet access. Suggestions please, Rodney

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
ealthuis (ealthuis) said : 		#1

From recent experience, next time you are asked to do a partial install say No.

Now if Linux is still running, do nothing for awhile, the update notice will again show, allow the update to do it's thing, it will find the files earlier downloaded and go from there, then if all is well, the update will run correctly.

I hope this works for you, I always denied partial updates and have had no problems. Partial downloads can happen if there is a timeout, as sometimes the download is very slow, not always your ISP's fault, many people are downloading the same things.

Revision history for this message
Rodney (rciwan) said : 		#2

I did as suggested above but got the message that I needed to run sudo apt-get install -f
I did that and tried again but get the message that the software index is broken and tells me again to run sudo apt-get install -f.

Revision history for this message
Rodney (rciwan) said : 		#3

How do I attach a screen print to show what the messages look like? I thought that I was able to do that once before on another problem but can't seem to locate the method now. print to show what the messages look like?

Revision history for this message
Best marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#4

Please try this and report only errors you get...

Open a Terminal from the menu Applications → Accessories → Terminal and type:
(if the system ask you a password give your user password, you will not see nothing when you type it, then press enter)

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo apt-get --fix-missing install
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get autoremove

Hope this helps

Revision history for this message
Rodney (rciwan) said : 		#5

Yes this worked. I'm amazed, how do you find all these commands and know when to use them? Is there a good tutorial so that I could try to figure out some of these problems myself? thanks again much appreciated. Rodney

Revision history for this message
Rodney (rciwan) said : 		#6

Thanks marcobra, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#7

Rodney from terminal type:

man dpkg

man apt-get

and in the middle some upgrade logic...

Hope this helps