On 20 Apr 2004, Deboo wrote: [snip]
> What can be done if/when apt-get/aptitude/dpkg are unable to either > install nor uninstall a package and that package is in broken state and > unless that package is properly installed or removed, no other packages > can be installed? This happened once and the author of the package > replied me here on this list. But now it happened with a few other > packages too. What can be done in this case? More than 4 packages are > in broken state, not able to install nor removable, so what can I do > with this state of apt? I *need* to install some other packages and I > am *stuck*. I don't know the correct answer to this; the script usually says to reinstall and configure, but I haven't always found that to be possible. In a few cases I've resorted to manual deletion of all the relevant files and then editing the records to reflect this. I'm not sure that this is encouraged but I had to do it quite recently when openoffice got itself in a mess. The actual process involves running locate to find all the files installed by the packages and deleting them. I then edit /var/lib/dpkg/status, /var/cache/debconf/config.dat, and /var/lib/aptitude/pkgstates. Obviously, make backup copies of all these before changing them. Finally I run aptitude and "purge" the relevant files to sort out apt-get. Probably someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly to say that this is a Bad Idea and there is a better/simpler solution. but it has worked for me when I've had to resort to it. Anthony -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] || http://www.acampbell.org.uk using Linux GNU/Debian || for book reviews, electronic Windows-free zone || books and skeptical articles -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
