E: dpkg was interrupted

Open a terminal (Menu->Accessories->Terminal).
Type the following command and press the Enter key:

dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get -f install

This should correct the problem and restart the install.

Let me also add this link:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SoftwareManagement

I think it would be worth for you to check it out how software management is done on Ubuntu.

when I type the command in the terminal session I now get the following error "requested operation requires superuser privilege
" I have checked my user account and I have administrator level so I am unsure as to what this is referring to.

try sudo dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get -f install

New when I type the command it now starts to ask me questions about my email which is fine I need to be able to run Synaptic manager that is were the error message is coming from.

Can you tell us exactly (a paste here would be the best) what is the output of the command we gave you?

i have the same problem as karlos66, and followed instruction found here:

typed this command line: sudo dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get -f install

received this message:
┌───────────┤ Configuring f-prot-installer ├────────────┐
 │ │
 │ If you have an active Internet connection, I can │
 │ download and install F-Prot(tm) for Workstations for │
 │ you. Download size is approximately 2.8 MByte. │
 │ │
 │ If you already have the files fp-linux-ws.tar.gz and │
 │ fp-linux-ws.tar.gz.md5sum, you can choose 'Install │
 │ from file'. The owner and group of the files has to │
 │ be set to "root". │
 │ │
 │ If you choose 'Install later', the package will be │
 │ left unconfigured. You can run 'dpkg --configure │
 │ f-prot-installer' later to finish installation. │
 │ │
 │ <Ok>

From here on I have NO IDEA what to do, and theres no further step option to repair this.

Please help.

SOLVED!

Please disregard my previous post.

but i not!!!! PLS HELP!!!

HELP

A lot of thanks for your participation in my problem!
But I have solved this problem with removing ''f-prot installer'' from Synaptic Package Manager!!!
Best Regards,Alex

i have the same problem it says yo manually run dpkg- configure - a to correct the problem but then I don't know what to select

Mine showed me the Java contract and nothing else.
I guess that's the problematic software.
What do I do next?

Solved, when asked to choose yes or no first time I choose yes end it didn`t work.
And then I choose no and that solved it.
Thanx, great site.

Hi I need help i got this messege trying to install updates

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

And I can't fix this becouse i'm new on using UBUNTO or linux so if any one can help me i will be grateful

Ps: SOrry for my spelling!

I pasted this in a terminal sudo dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get -f install

then when it asked y or n choose n it worked for me.

Bill

I have the same problem..
when I followed your instructions. it says:

Setting up flashplugin-nonfree (9.0.48.0.2+really0ubuntu12) ...
Downloading...
--00:27:58-- http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_9_linux.tar.gz
           => `./install_flash_player_9_linux.tar.gz'
Resolving fpdownload.macromedia.com... 60.254.170.70
Connecting to fpdownload.macromedia.com|60.254.170.70|:80...

Can you please tell me how to solve this?
It keeps trying to connect to the ftp

Please disregard my previous post.

When I just let the program to connect a few times, it just stopped by itself..
SOLVED!

I just had the same problem with the Java screen, which seems to halt the terminal window.
All you need to do, when you get to this Java License Agreement, is hit the TAB key, which will highlight the OK option - then press ENTER.
Repeat this when they ask you to confirm the Agreement's terms again (You will need to hit the TAB twice)
And Java is installed properly!

My computer restarted while was installing the updates and now the sound doesnt works and i get same error "E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report." .I followed your instruction...and in terminal i get this user@grup:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get -f install
[sudo] password for user:
Setting up linux-image-2.6.24-24-generic (2.6.24-24.51) ...
Running depmod.

and is stucked....
 What could i do ?

when i wrote dpkg --configure -a && sudo apt-get -f install
then a message
dpkg: requested operation requires superuser privilege
pls help me i m new to linux...

You strictly need to open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

But to fully check and upgrade your system using terminal using command line,
open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal

Tip: right click with mouse on the terminal title caption and select the item "Always on Top" doing this you will force the terminal window to stay on top of the other windows and you will find very easy to copy single row from this web page into the terminal...
Something more about using the terminal https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal

Then type or better copy and paste a row a time then press enter:
(Tip: select the single row to copy then right click into the terminal and to quick paste click with middle button of mouse )

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 dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get autoremove

then please reboot your system, type

sudo reboot

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Hope this helps

I just had a similar problem:
While updating ubuntu (Karmic) electricity went down, so the computer just went dead.
Starting up was no problem, but opening update manager or synaptic package manager gives the error:

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

Running the command gives:
dpkg: parse error, in file '/var/lib/dpkg/updates/0101' near line 0:
 field name `sible' must be followed by colon

After removing the file 0101 and running the command "sudo dpkg --configure -a" a long error list was given, but after that I could just continue updating the system!

Thanks for the hints that were given here!