Not updating

[josh17]

For some reason my ubuntu refuses to update. it says something is currently using the file it needs in order to preform the update, and i think it might be the "searching" thing in the software center. But that has been stuck on "applying changes" since yesterday aand the progress bar hasn't moved. I've tried resetting my computer to no avail. what do I need to do?!? !D:

[ian-weisser]

Please provide the entire, exact message.

[josh17]

"Not all updates can be installed
Run a partial upgrade, to install as many updates as possible
This can be caused by
*A previous upgrade which didn't complete
*Problems with some of the installed software
*Unofficial software packages not provided by Ubuntu
*Normal changes of pre-released versions of ubuntu "

*Clicks partial upgrade*

"Unable to get exclusive lock

This usually means that another package management application (like apt-get or aptitude) already running. Please close that application first."

[ian-weisser]

"Unable to get exclusive lock

This usually means that another package management application (like apt-get or aptitude) already running. Please close that application first."

First things first.
What other applications, terminal windows, updates, and package managers do you have open?
Only one can be working at a time. If you try to run more than one, you get that message.

"Not all updates can be installed
Run a partial upgrade, to install as many updates as possible

Tell us everything you know or suspect about previous update problems.

[josh17]

At the time i Had software center open, but i get that message when literally no other window is open.

[ian-weisser]

Please open a terminal, and try the following command. Post the entire output here inside code tags.

ls -l /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Please tell us everything you know or suspect about previous update problems, including aborted updates, power loss or network loss during updates, etc.

[josh17]

Please open a terminal, and try the following command. Post the entire output here inside code tags.

ls -l /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Please tell us everything you know or suspect about previous update problems, including aborted updates, power loss or network loss during updates, etc.

The output was

-rw-r----- 1 root root 0 Aug 27 16:33 /var/lib/dpkg/lock

And as for aborted updates, all that comes to mind is the installtion of a program on the software center that I had to shut down in the middle because my computer froze, but the program is on my computer so i'd assume it installed correctly beforehand.

[ian-weisser]

1) Log out of your system.

2) Then log back in.

3) Open a terminal. Try the commands

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

4) If the commands work without error, then close the terminal window and wave your hands in happiness. Your problem should be fixed.

5) If you get another "unable to get lock file" message, then try the command:

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Then repeat steps 3 and 4.

6) If you are STILL getting an error message, post the entire terminal session here so we can see what worked, what went wrong, and those very-helpful error messages.

[josh17]

1) Log out of your system.

2) Then log back in.

3) Open a terminal. Try the commands

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

4) If the commands work without error, then close the terminal window and wave your hands in happiness. Your problem should be fixed.

5) If you get another "unable to get lock file" message, then try the command:

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Then repeat steps 3 and 4.

6) If you are STILL getting an error message, post the entire terminal session here so we can see what worked, what went wrong, and those very-helpful error messages.

josh@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get update
[sudo] password for josh: 
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock directory /var/lib/apt/lists/
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?
josh@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get upgrade
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?
josh@ubuntu:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
josh@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get update
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock directory /var/lib/apt/lists/
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem. 
josh@ubuntu:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
Setting up sandboxgamemaker (2.7.1+dfsg-1) ...
debconf: DbDriver "config": /var/cache/debconf/config.dat is locked by another process: Resource temporarily unavailable
dpkg: error processing sandboxgamemaker (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
Errors were encountered while processing:
 sandboxgamemaker
josh@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get update
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock directory /var/lib/apt/lists/

[ian-weisser]

There are two problems in that session.

First, there is another lock file. Let's get rid of it first.

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock

Second, there is an unconfigured package. Perhaps from that disrupted install?

sudo dpkg --configure sandboxgamemaker

Finally, let's see if it works:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

As before, please post the entire session so we can see errors.
We're making progress, and you are doing great.