[SOLVED] E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with MergeList

[jabrown65]

I am using mythbuntu 8.04 with all updates install (... until this probolem occured this morning...)

However, when I tried to to update using the Update-Manager I got the following error message:

Could not initialize the package information

A unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package information.

Please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and include the following error message:

'E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_hardy-updates_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages, E:The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.'

I tried replacing ../status with ../status-old but the problem remained.

Then I tried apt-get check just to see what would happen, and I basically got the same error:

jbcp@mythbuntu:~$ sudo apt-get check
[sudo] password for jbcp:
Reading package lists... Error!
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_hardy-updates_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
jbcp@mythbuntu:~$

What next?

[jaakan]

try
# sudo dpkg --configure -a
# sudo aptitude update
# sudo aptitude upgrade

you can use apt-get too but I think aptitude is better.

look here too if that doesn't work
http://www.linux.com/articles/48910

[jabrown65]

The dpkg command didn't help. I still get the same error msg when I execute the aptitude (or apt-get) update command.

Other ideas?

[jabrown65]

Actually, just fixed the problem using:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
sudo apt-get update

All good now.

[whoey]

that worked a treat for me too!

[p_breakfast]

Thanks! also worked under GUbuntu 9.04

[olly_roberts]

+1 success here.
cheers.
i do like this ubuntu malarchy, this is the 3rd "issue" ive had, but unlike windows, they are all so easy to sort!

[charlesedwardkelley]

Thanks
sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
Did the trick for me

[amksep]

solved here too.
Ubuntu 9.04
but i wish to know the cause of it.

[mihai007]

Actually, just fixed the problem using:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
sudo apt-get update

All good now.

Worked for me too, I think synaptic should be patched to take care of this without any extra intervention for the user particular issue, as the fix is really straight forward.

[Slide guitar]

Thanks for that.
sudo rm...... followed by sudo apt-get.....
worked the oracle for me.

[astathios]

Actually, just fixed the problem using:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
sudo apt-get update

All good now.

great worked perfect thank you

[guriinii]

Thanks worked a treat.

[richard.scott-ettrick]

Actually, just fixed the problem using:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
sudo apt-get update

All good now.
Brilliant! Worked for me too!!
;)

[jarrarist]

worked like a charm!!

thanks

[redcore]

Actually, just fixed the problem using:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf
sudo apt-get update

All good now.
Worked for me too (Linux Mint 8) - Thanks! :)