Error when attempting to install programs from USC

[DePariah]

When ever I try to install a program I get the following error:

installArchives() failed: Selecting previously unselected package kdrill.
(Reading database ... (Reading database ... 5% (Reading database ... 10% (Reading database ... 15% (Reading database ... 20% (Reading database ... 25% (Reading database ... 30% (Reading database ... 35% (Reading database ... 40% (Reading database ... 45% (Reading database ... 50% (Reading database ... 55% (Reading database ... 60% (Reading database ... 65% (Reading database ... 70% (Reading database ... 75% (Reading database ... 80% (Reading database ... 85% (Reading database ... 90% (Reading database ... 95% (Reading database ... 100% (Reading database ... 254008 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking kdrill (from .../kdrill_6.5deb2-7ubuntu1_i386.deb) ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ...
Processing triggers for gnome-menus ...
Processing triggers for bamfdaemon ...
Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/bamf.index...
Setting up ntp (1:4.2.6.p3+dfsg-1ubuntu3.1) ...
useradd: cannot lock /etc/passwd; try again later.
adduser: `/usr/sbin/useradd -d /home/ntp -g ntp -s /bin/false -u 118 ntp' returned error code 1. Exiting.
chown: invalid user: `ntp:ntp'
dpkg: error processing ntp (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Setting up whoopsie (0.1.32) ...
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
useradd: cannot lock /etc/passwd; try again later.
adduser: `/usr/sbin/useradd -d /nonexistent -g whoopsie -s /bin/false -u 118 whoopsie' returned error code 1. Exiting.
dpkg: error processing whoopsie (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Setting up kdrill (6.5deb2-7ubuntu1) ...
Errors were encountered while processing:
ntp
whoopsie
Error in function:
Setting up ntp (1:4.2.6.p3+dfsg-1ubuntu3.1) ...
useradd: cannot lock /etc/passwd; try again later.
adduser: `/usr/sbin/useradd -d /home/ntp -g ntp -s /bin/false -u 118 ntp' returned error code 1. Exiting.
chown: invalid user: `ntp:ntp'
dpkg: error processing ntp (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Setting up whoopsie (0.1.32) ...
useradd: cannot lock /etc/passwd; try again later.
adduser: `/usr/sbin/useradd -d /nonexistent -g whoopsie -s /bin/false -u 118 whoopsie' returned error code 1. Exiting.
dpkg: error processing whoopsie (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1



Appologies if this is a really simple problem and I'm just being nooby, but hey everyone starts off knowing nothing I am running Ubuntu 12.04 on an eeePC (model 1001HA) if that helps with anything Thanks for taking the time to give me a hand

[jerrrys]

Welcome to the forums

For starters try this. Open a terminal and enter:

Sudo apt-get clean

sudo apt-get update

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ap...nance_commands

Get any errors?