Dependency issues - broken packages

[jerrywo]

I've got broken packages
See:
initramfs-tools: Depends: initramfs-tools-bin (>= 0.99ubuntu13.2.1) but 0.99ubuntu13.3 is installed
Depends: klibc-utils (>= 1.5.9-1) but 1.5.25-1ubuntu2 is installed
Depends: busybox-initramfs (>= 1:1.13.3-1ubuntu5) but 1:1.18.5-1ubuntu4.1 is installed
Depends: udev (>= 147~-5) but 175-0ubuntu9.4 is installed
Depends: findutils (>= 4.2.24) but 4.4.2-4ubuntu1 is installed
Depends: util-linux (> 2.15~rc1) but 2.20.1-1ubuntu3 is installed

But I seem unable to move forward without first taking care of initramfs-tools.
Any Suggestions - right now I'm ready to pull the trigger on a re-install

Jerry

[ian-weisser]

I suppose you could reinstall...but these are usually quite easy to fix. Not workaround, really fix.


I've got broken packages
initramfs-tools: Depends: initramfs-tools-bin (>= 0.99ubuntu13.2.1) but 0.99ubuntu13.3 is installed
Depends: klibc-utils (>= 1.5.9-1) but 1.5.25-1ubuntu2 is installed
Depends: busybox-initramfs (>= 1:1.13.3-1ubuntu5) but 1:1.18.5-1ubuntu4.1 is installed
Depends: udev (>= 147~-5) but 175-0ubuntu9.4 is installed
Depends: findutils (>= 4.2.24) but 4.4.2-4ubuntu1 is installed
Depends: util-linux (> 2.15~rc1) but 2.20.1-1ubuntu3 is installed


First, take a look at the different kinds of version numbers.
Example: klibc-utils (>= 1.5.9-1) but 1.5.25-1ubuntu2 is installed
See the difference? They are formatted differently.

Usually that happens when you install a package from a PPA or non-Ubuntu repository. Perhaps you added a Debian package.

Second, take a look at the actual versioning: 1.5.9 vs 1.5.25. From 9 to 25. Let's see how big of a jump that is.

$ rmadison -u ubuntu klibc-utils
klibc-utils | 1.5.17-4ubuntu1 | lucid | amd64, armel, i386, ia64, powerpc, sparc
klibc-utils | 1.5.25-1ubuntu2 | precise | amd64, armel, armhf, i386, powerpc
[...]

$ rmadison -u debian klibc-utils
klibc-utils | 1.5.20-1+squeeze1 | squeeze | amd64, armel, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390, sparc
klibc-utils | 2.0.1-3.1 | wheezy | amd64, armel, armhf, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390, s390x, sparc
klibc-utils | 2.0.2-1 | jessie | amd64, armel, armhf, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390x, sparc
klibc-utils | 2.0.2-1 | sid | amd64, armel, armhf, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390x, sparc



You can see .25 there in the Ubuntu repositories. That means you are probably running 12.04 (precise). But .9 is much older than that - the oldest is .17.
So the dependency is probably a release or two older than that. Perhaps for 10.10 or Debian 5 (both very much past end-of-life).

So it looks like you tried to add a non-Ubuntu package, and you added a very old version of it.

Generally, the easy way to fix it is to uninstall it using dpkg or apt-get.

Do you remember what you added? Or where you got it from?

[jerrywo]

Hmmm, this little Dell Mini is mostly used as a music "server" in our condo and I doubt I've installed much of anything, other than what I need for music and the odd browsing.

I have had trouble with the /boot filling up, and I try to go in there and delete older kernals ("complete removal" using Synaptic)

I installed 12.04.2 in May 2013, replacing an awful version of Ubuntu that came with the computer.
Is it possible, some of those legacy pieces of software might be causing the broken packages?


I'll bet that's where they came from.

So, are these packages unnecessary, i.e., can I just go in and delete them? Is it possible they're necessary for various laptop functionalities?

Jerry

[ian-weisser]

The listed packages are (mostly) very much necessary for your system.
If you remove the listed packages, you will certainly break your system. Do not remove them.
The listed packages are not broken, and are not the problem.

It's whatever old package that really wants older versions of the listed packages that is the problem.
You didn't include that with your list. It would have been the line above - the real broken package. None of the listed packages are broken.
The listed packages are there because dpkg is trying to explain why the real broken package is broken. (dependencies don't resolve because it's a non-Ubuntu package)

How you retained an ancient, non-Ubuntu package would depend upon how you installed or upgraded to 12.04.
That would mean that the package manager has *never* worked for you.
Have you, since the 12.04 install, been able to install security updates? Or install any applications from Software Center?

Please post the entire output of

sudo dpkg --configure -a

[jerrywo]

Here's what that shows

root@jerryrobin:~# sudo dpkg --configure -a
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic:
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.36ubuntu6); however:
Package initramfs-tools is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic

[ian-weisser]

dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.



Okay, the *real* broken package looks like initramfs-tools.
You are using the precise-updates Repository, and the current version there for both initfamfs-tools and initramfs-tools-bin is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
You can see above that initramfs-tools is looking for an older dependency than 13.3. It's looking for 13.2.1. That confirms that initramfs-tools is not up to date.

So initramfs-tools is the problem. (Today's problem)

Try the following. If you get an error message, stop. Post the entire session here (please use
tags to make the output readable)
[CODE]sudo apt-get clean initramfs-tools
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install --reinstall initramfs-tools
sudo apt-get upgrade
clean initramfs-tools will delete the 13.2.1 .deb from your package cache.

update will refresh the package lists from the precise-updates repository, letting your system know that 13.3 is available

install --reinstall initramfs-tools will force the system to reinstall the initramfs-tools package from the .deb in cache. But we just deleted that .deb, so the system will download a fresh 13.3 .deb from the repository, and then replace the old 13.2.1 version running on your system.

upgrade will upgrade of all packages on your system that have an upgrade available. It confirms that your package manager is working properly again, and that the problem really is fixed.

[jerrywo]

I made it to the 3RD step and got errors. I did not proceed any further.
I'm working from my desktop machine - I copy the stuff from the little Dell and e-mail it to myself, then cut & paste it here!
So the little Dell is sitting where I left it (as below)



root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get clean initramfs-tools
root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get update
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release.gpg [198 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release.gpg
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg
Get:6 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise Release
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release
Get:7 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Sources [93.6 kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe TranslationIndex
Get:8 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Sources [426 kB]
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner i386 Packages
Get:9 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Sources [2,494 B]
Get:10 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Sources [29.9 kB]
Get:11 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Sources [1,797 B]
Get:12 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main i386 Packages [359 kB]
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner TranslationIndex
Get:13 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted i386 Packages [4,620 B]
Get:14 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe i386 Packages [88.9 kB]
Get:15 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse i386 Packages [2,635 B]
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en
Get:16 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Sources [7,006 B]
Get:17 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Sources [99.5 kB]
Get:18 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Sources [8,356 B]
Get:19 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main i386 Packages [729 kB]
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en_US
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Get:20 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted i386 Packages [11.4 kB]
Get:21 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe i386 Packages [226 kB]
Get:22 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse i386 Packages [14.2 kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Translation-en
Get:23 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Sources [4,233 B]
Get:24 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Sources [14 B]
Get:25 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Sources [36.1 kB]
Get:26 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Sources [5,311 B]
Get:27 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main i386 Packages [2,838 B]
Get:28 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted i386 Packages [14 B]
Get:29 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe i386 Packages [36.8 kB]
Get:30 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages [5,178 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Translation-en
Fetched 2,344 kB in 5s (464 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get install --reinstall initramfs-tools
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-41 libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
linux-headers-3.2.0-41-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be upgraded:
initramfs-tools
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
2 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 50.3 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main initramfs-tools all 0.99ubuntu13.3 [50.3 kB]
Fetched 50.3 kB in 0s (288 kB/s)
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic:
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.36ubuntu6); however:
Package initramfs-tools is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

[ian-weisser]

Hmm. That's unusual.

Please show the output of the command apt-cache policy
(run as user - sudo not needed)That command will rule out several causes - incorrect or missing repositories, pinned packages, etc.

[jerrywo]

OK, this is what I got!



jerryrobin@jerryrobin:~$ apt-cache policy
Package files:
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
release a=now
500 http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ precise/partner i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Canonical,a=precise,n=precise,l=Partner archive,c=partner
origin archive.canonical.com
500 http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=LP-PPA-app-review-board,a=precise,n=precise,l=Application Review Board PPA,c=main
origin extras.ubuntu.com
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/universe Translation-en
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/restricted Translation-en
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/multiverse Translation-en
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/main Translation-en
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/multiverse i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-security,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=multiverse
origin security.ubuntu.com
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/universe i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-security,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=universe
origin security.ubuntu.com
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/restricted i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-security,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=restricted
origin security.ubuntu.com
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/main i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-security,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=main
origin security.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/universe Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/restricted Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/multiverse Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/main Translation-en
100 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-backports,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=multiverse
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
100 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/universe i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-backports,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=universe
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
100 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/restricted i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-backports,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=restricted
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
100 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-backports/main i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-backports,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=main
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/universe Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/restricted Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/multiverse Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/multiverse i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-updates,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=multiverse
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/universe i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-updates,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=universe
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/restricted i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-updates,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=restricted
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise-updates,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=main
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/universe Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/restricted Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/multiverse Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main Translation-en
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/multiverse i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=mu ltiverse
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/universe i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=un iverse
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/restricted i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=re stricted
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main i386 Packages
release v=12.04,o=Ubuntu,a=precise,n=precise,l=Ubuntu,c=ma in
origin us.archive.ubuntu.com
Pinned packages:

Nothing follows

Jerry

[ian-weisser]

That looked good.
Let's move down the dependency chain, and do the same thing to initramfs-tools-bin that we did to initramfs-tools.
I expected -bin to upgrade as part of the previous package reinstall, but we all learn something today.

As before, stop if you get an error. Error messages are good; they mean we're making progress.

sudo apt-get clean initramfs-tools-bin
sudo apt-get install --reinstall initramfs-tools-bin
sudo apt-get upgrade
update is not necessary this time. You already updated the package list earlier today. You can still run it, it won't hurt.

[jerrywo]

I'm not sure this is an error per se, but I thought I'd stop right here.
Jerry



root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get install --reinstall initramfs-tools-bin
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
initramfs-tools : Depends: initramfs-tools-bin (< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~) but 0.99ubuntu13.3 is to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

[ian-weisser]

It's close enough to an error. You were wise to stop there.

Let's see if the system can fix it itself: Try sudo apt-get -f install

[jerrywo]

OK here tis - this looks like a do-loop from my FORTRAN days....



root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-41 libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
linux-headers-3.2.0-41-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following extra packages will be installed:
initramfs-tools
The following packages will be upgraded:
initramfs-tools
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
2 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 50.3 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? Y
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main initramfs-tools all 0.99ubuntu13.3 [50.3 kB]
Fetched 50.3 kB in 0s (137 kB/s)
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic:
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.36ubuntu6); however:
Package initramfs-tools is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

[fantab]

Try the following and report what happens:


sudo dpkg --purge initramfs-tools linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic
sudo apt-get remove --purge initramfs-tools linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install initramfs-tools linux

If you get errors after 'apt-get update/-f install/upgrade' then report back. Don't shut-down your computer.

[jerrywo]

Didn't get very far


root@jerryrobin:~# sudo dpkg --purge initramfs-tools linux-image-3.2.0-56 generic
dpkg: warning: there's no installed package matching linux-image-3.2.0-56
dpkg: warning: there's no installed package matching generic
dpkg: dependency problems prevent removal of initramfs-tools:
apparmor depends on initramfs-tools.
ubuntu-minimal depends on initramfs-tools.
udev depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.92bubuntu63); however:
Package initramfs-tools is to be removed.
dmsetup depends on initramfs-tools.
brltty depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.40ubuntu30).
kbd depends on initramfs-tools.
plymouth depends on initramfs-tools; however:
Package initramfs-tools is to be removed.
linux-image-3.2.0-54-generic depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.36ubuntu6).
console-setup depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.85eubuntu12).
ntfs-3g depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.99).
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--purge):
dependency problems - not removing
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools

[fantab]

There is '-' between 56 and generic:
linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic

[jerrywo]

Figured out I had a typo in the linux-image........

here's what I got
(and I'm gonna hit the sack - I am so grateful for you folks plugging away on this - I've downloaded the ISO and can just do a clean install of the OS if this thing drags on. This computer is secondary - we just use it as a music server in our condo. It's a Dell that came loaded with a horrible version of Linux. I know people in Dell, their hearts are in the right place, but moving to 12.04 LTS was a quantum leap in the right direction, aside from this little burble)


root@jerryrobin:~# sudo dpkg --purge initramfs-tools linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic
dpkg: dependency problems prevent removal of initramfs-tools:
apparmor depends on initramfs-tools.
ubuntu-minimal depends on initramfs-tools.
udev depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.92bubuntu63); however:
Package initramfs-tools is to be removed.
dmsetup depends on initramfs-tools.
brltty depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.40ubuntu30).
kbd depends on initramfs-tools.
plymouth depends on initramfs-tools; however:
Package initramfs-tools is to be removed.
linux-image-3.2.0-54-generic depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.36ubuntu6).
console-setup depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.85eubuntu12).
ntfs-3g depends on initramfs-tools (>= 0.99).
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--purge):
dependency problems - not removing
(Reading database ... 358323 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic ...
WARN: Proceeding with removing running kernel image.
Examining /etc/kernel/prerm.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/prerm.d/dkms 3.2.0-56-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-56-generic
dkms: removing: bcmwl 6.20.155.1+bdcom (3.2.0-56-generic) (i686)

-------- Uninstall Beginning --------
Module: bcmwl
Version: 6.20.155.1+bdcom
Kernel: 3.2.0-56-generic (i686)
-------------------------------------

Status: Before uninstall, this module version was ACTIVE on this kernel.

wl.ko:
- Uninstallation
- Deleting from: /lib/modules/3.2.0-56-generic/updates/dkms/
- Original module
- No original module was found for this module on this kernel.
- Use the dkms install command to reinstall any previous module version.

depmod.........

DKMS: uninstall completed.
Examining /etc/kernel/postrm.d .
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postrm.d/initramfs-tools 3.2.0-56-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-56-generic
update-initramfs: Deleting /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-56-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postrm.d/zz-update-grub 3.2.0-56-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-56-generic
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-54-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-54-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /memtest86+.bin
Found Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS (12.04) on /dev/sda2
done
The link /vmlinuz is a damaged link
Removing symbolic link vmlinuz
you may need to re-run your boot loader[grub]
The link /vmlinuz.old is a damaged link
Removing symbolic link vmlinuz.old
you may need to re-run your boot loader[grub]
Purging configuration files for linux-image-3.2.0-56-generic ...
Examining /etc/kernel/postrm.d .
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postrm.d/initramfs-tools 3.2.0-56-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-56-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postrm.d/zz-update-grub 3.2.0-56-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-56-generic
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools

[fantab]

I didn't realize that you were using the same kernel that you removed.


sudo apt-get install initramfs-tools --reinstall
sudo update-grub

Reboot.

[fantab]

Duplicate post.

[jerrywo]

Good morning!

Here's what I got after just the first command:


root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get install initramfs-tools --reinstall
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-41 libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
linux-headers-3.2.0-41-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be upgraded:
initramfs-tools
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/50.3 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

[fantab]

Try:

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get install initramfs-tools --reinstall

[jerrywo]

Here's what I got:


root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get install initramfs-tools --reinstall
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-41 libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
linux-headers-3.2.0-41-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be upgraded:
initramfs-tools
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/50.3 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
root@jerryrobin:~# sudo dpkg --configure -a
root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get install initramfs-tools --reinstall
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-41 libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
linux-headers-3.2.0-41-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be upgraded:
initramfs-tools
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/50.3 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

[fantab]

Lets see if this works:


sudo update-initramfs -u

If that doesn't work, then perhaps it will be good idea to re-install Ubuntu...

[jerrywo]

That might have done something!

The response is:


update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-54-generic


Sounds like I should reboot?

Jerry

[ian-weisser]

Seems like perhaps you cracked the problem!
Try a sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade to see if the package manager works now.

[jerrywo]

Hmmm, not sure it worked - see tail end.





root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release.gpg [198 B]
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release.gpg
Get:3 http://extras.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg [72 B]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release.gpg [198 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise Release
Get:6 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release [49.6 kB]
Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner i386 Packages
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner TranslationIndex
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Get:8 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Sources [93.6 kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe TranslationIndex
Get:9 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Sources [426 kB]
Get:10 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Sources [2,494 B]
Get:11 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Sources [29.9 kB]
Get:12 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Sources [1,797 B]
Get:13 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main i386 Packages [359 kB]
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en_US
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en
Get:14 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted i386 Packages [4,620 B]
Get:15 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe i386 Packages [88.9 kB]
Get:16 http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse i386 Packages [2,635 B]
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en
Get:17 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Sources [7,006 B]
Get:18 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Sources [99.5 kB]
Get:19 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Sources [8,356 B]
Get:20 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main i386 Packages [729 kB]
Get:21 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted i386 Packages [11.4 kB]
Get:22 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe i386 Packages [226 kB]
Get:23 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse i386 Packages [14.2 kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Get:24 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Sources [4,233 B]
Get:25 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Sources [14 B]
Get:26 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Sources [36.1 kB]
Get:27 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Sources [5,311 B]
Get:28 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main i386 Packages [2,838 B]
Get:29 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted i386 Packages [14 B]
Get:30 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe i386 Packages [36.8 kB]
Get:31 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages [5,178 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Translation-en
Fetched 2,344 kB in 11s (209 kB/s)
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?
root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release.gpg [198 B]
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release.gpg [198 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise Release
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release.gpg
Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise Release.gpg
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise Release
Get:4 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports Release [49.6 kB]
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner i386 Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe TranslationIndex
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Sources [426 kB]
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Sources
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Sources
Hit http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main i386 Packages
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe TranslationIndex
Get:6 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Sources [7,006 B]
Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Sources [99.5 kB]
Get:8 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Sources [8,356 B]
Get:9 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main i386 Packages [729 kB]
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/main Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en
Get:10 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted i386 Packages [11.4 kB]
Get:11 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe i386 Packages [226 kB]
Get:12 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse i386 Packages [14.2 kB]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Get:13 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Sources [4,233 B]
Get:14 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Sources [14 B]
Get:15 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Sources [36.1 kB]
Get:16 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Sources [5,311 B]
Get:17 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main i386 Packages [2,838 B]
Get:18 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted i386 Packages [14 B]
Get:19 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe i386 Packages [36.8 kB]
Get:20 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse i386 Packages [5,178 B]
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe TranslationIndex
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/main Translation-en
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en_US
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates/universe Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/main Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com precise-backports/universe Translation-en
Ign http://archive.canonical.com precise/partner Translation-en
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://extras.ubuntu.com precise/main Translation-en
Fetched 1,711 kB in 4s (422 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these.
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
initramfs-tools : Depends: initramfs-tools-bin (< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~) but 0.99ubuntu13.3 is installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try using -f.
root@jerryrobin:~# sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-41 libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
linux-headers-3.2.0-41-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
The following extra packages will be installed:
initramfs-tools
The following packages will be upgraded:
initramfs-tools
1 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 3 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/50.3 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? Y
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of initramfs-tools:
initramfs-tools depends on initramfs-tools-bin (<< 0.99ubuntu13.2.1~); however:
Version of initramfs-tools-bin on system is 0.99ubuntu13.3.
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
No apport report written because the error message indicates its a followup error from a previous failure.
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

[ian-weisser]

Well, that's just strange.
One of those really should have worked.
Since we still don't know why that one package simply refuses, even after redownload and reinstall, to behave the way it should...I'm out of ideas.
This may indeed be one of the rare cases for a reinstall.

[jerrywo]

Well you guys certainly have gone beyond the call of duty in helping me!

I'll do a clean install. This little Dell came with a version of Ubuntu on it that must have been designed by committee. It was wretched and not worthy of the name Ubuntu. My daughter is married to a Dell employee - and I gave him an earful. I see they are attempting another Ubuntu launch which I shall assiduously avoid. I put 12.04.2 on it in the spring of this year. Worked great until all these dependency stuff popped up.

Oh well

Again - thanks to all who helped!

Jerry W
Warrenton VA