Ubuntu
update-manager package

Ubuntu 9.04 errors 'Error failed to fork pty' running update manager and using terminal

Asked by jdfilburn

Update Manager checks for software updates, but upon clicking "Install":

'Error failed to fork pty'

And after launching terminal to try and get updates manually:

'There was an error creating the child process for this terminal'

Having trouble finding a a solution that I can get working on this pc. Yes, it's probably because my level of understanding of linux is low.

Any step-by-step assistance is appreciated.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu update-manager Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
jdfilburn
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Cristi Nistor (cristi-nistor) said : 		#1

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/sysvinit/+bug/338071

Please read this bug report and the possible fixes for your error.

Good luck.

Revision history for this message
jdfilburn (jdfilburn) said : 		#2

I can't seem to get either method mentioned in the bug#338071 to work. The errors are persistent.

Perhaps I am not applying them correctly:

Method 1: edit fstab:
ALT+CTL+F2
[logon]
sudo -e /etc/fstab
----added line at bottom--- 'devpts /dev/pts rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=620'
save/exit
sudo mount -a

result: both errors persist. and mode=620 produces a nice red 'Fail' upon startup

Method 2: move mountdevsubfs.sh:
ALT+CTL+F2
[logon]
sudo mv /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh.dpkg-dist /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh

result: both errors persist. no noticeable change confirmations

Revision history for this message
jdfilburn (jdfilburn) said : 		#3

Problem solved, likely by Method 2 above, as I restored the fstab file to the pre-Method 1 state prior to commencing.

All I apparently needed to do after Method 2 was reboot the system. Terminal and Update Manager applications now function without errors.