I have 7 installations of 9.10 on my computer. Is this normal?

[Tony.B]

I've had problems with Ubuntu ever since I installed 9.10 and I wonder if I have installed it correctly.

When I switch on my computer I get a page saying

GRUB loading

followed by a page headed

GNU GRUB version 1.97~beta4

This page then seems to tell me that I have 7 installations of Ubuntu, which all seem to me to be the same:

Ubuntu.Linux 2.6.31-20-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-18-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-18-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)
Memory test etc

Is this correct? If it's not correct, how do I get rid of the 6 unwanted versions?

The problems I'm having are:

(a) my laptop (Acer Aspire 5315) switches off after about 25 minutes. It seems to get quite hot. I didn't notice this with the previous version of Ubuntu, and it certainly didn't happen when I used Vista (sorry if that's a swearword). When I restart the computer, the problem disappears. This seems to be a problem with this model of computer and I see there's something called a "patch" but I've no idea how to access it or use it.

(b) I get error messages every time I use Update Manager, or if I try to download anything from Ubuntu Software Centre. The usual message is

Package Operation failed
The installation or removal of a software package failed

- followed by a complete stream of computer jargon like this

installArchives() failed: Selecting previously deselected package glabels-data.
(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 ... 207374 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking glabels-data (from .../glabels-data_2.2.5-0ubuntu1_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously deselected package glabels.
Unpacking glabels (from .../glabels_2.2.5-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ...
Processing triggers for shared-mime-info ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Setting up liba52-0.7.4 (0.7.4-11ubuntu1) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing liba52-0.7.4 (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libdvdread4 (4.1.3-5ubuntu2) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libdvdread4 (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libid3tag0 (0.15.1b-10build1) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libid3tag0 (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libmad0 (0.15.1b-4) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libmad0 (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libmpeg2-4 (0.4.1-3) ...
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libmpeg2-4 (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libsidplay1 (1.36.59-5) ...
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libsidplay1 (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly:
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on liba52-0.7.4; however:
Package liba52-0.7.4 is not configured yet.
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libdvdread4 (>= 4.1.3); however:
Package libdvdread4 is not configured yet.
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libid3tag0 (>= 0.15.1b); however:
Package libid3tag0 is not configured yet.
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libmad0 (>= 0.15.1b-3); however:
Package libmad0 is not configured yet.
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libmpeg2-4; however:
Package libmpeg2-4 is not configured yet.
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libsidplay1; however:
Package libsidplay1 is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Setting up glabels-data (2.2No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
.5-0ubuntu1) ...

Setting up glabels (2.2.5-0ubuntu1) ...

Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/liba52-0.7.4.so is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libsidplay.so.1 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libid3tag.so.0.3.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2convert.so.0.0.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libsidplay.so.1.0.3 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmad.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libid3tag.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmad.so.0.2.1 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libdvdread.so.4.1.3 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2convert.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2.so.0.0.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libdvdread.so.4 is empty, not checked.
Errors were encountered while processing:
liba52-0.7.4
libdvdread4
libid3tag0
libmad0
libmpeg2-4
libsidplay1
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly

I've completed bug reports and had some replies, but these are so technical I'm not even sure they were meant to be sent to me.

Perhaps someone can tell me whether or not any of these items are related. And how do I cure them? I am not a computer geek, so I'd appreciate advice in VERY simple terminology, please.

As always, my apologies for being a nuisance - I really do appreciate your help. Thanks in advance,

Tony

[Method X]

Its ok.

Ubuntu.Linux 2.6.31-20-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-18-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-18-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)

Its only kernels, you can comment them in /boot/grub/grub.cfg or just delete with synaptic.

You have only ONE ubuntu installed, and kernels are just configuration.


About your laptop temperature:
Maybe you installed x64 version?

And about errors with soft: depences are brocken. Its better to use:

sudo aptitude safe-upgrade

[Tikkyca]

It's ok,kernels...

[spiky001]

If deleteing them with synaptic it best to leave at least 1 other proberbly 2:6:31:19
just incase the new 1 breaks you can still get in to system to fix it

[audiomick]

I've had problems with Ubuntu ever since I installed 9.10 and I wonder if I have installed it correctly.

When I switch on my computer I get a page saying

GRUB loading

followed by a page headed

GNU GRUB version 1.97~beta4

This page then seems to tell me that I have 7 installations of Ubuntu, which all seem to me to be the same:

Ubuntu.Linux 2.6.31-20-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-18-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-18-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)
Memory test etc

Is this correct? If it's not correct, how do I get rid of the 6 unwanted versions?

This is normal and nothing to worry about. It just means that you have installed a few updates. When you get a kernel update, the old one is not removed. As you can see from the last number of the kernel names, the are not exactly the same but rather successive updates.

There are instructions on removing old kernels towards the end of the first post on this thread
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=818177

The problems I'm having area) my laptop (Acer Aspire 5315) switches off after about 25 minutes. It seems to get quite hot. I didn't notice this with the previous version of Ubuntu, and it certainly didn't happen when I used Vista (sorry if that's a swearword). When I restart the computer, the problem disappears. This seems to be a problem with this model of computer and I see there's something called a "patch" but I've no idea how to access it or use it.

a patch is an alteration to the OS to fix the problem. Sorry, but I don't know how to install them either. I think you have to re-compile whatever part of the OS the patch is applied to.

(b) I get error messages every time I use Update Manager, or if I try to download anything from Ubuntu Software Centre. The usual message is

Package Operation failed
The installation or removal of a software package failed

- followed by a complete stream of computer jargon like this

installArchives() failed: Selecting previously deselected package glabels-data.
(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 ... 207374 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking glabels-data (from .../glabels-data_2.2.5-0ubuntu1_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously deselected package glabels.
Unpacking glabels (from .../glabels_2.2.5-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ...
Processing triggers for shared-mime-info ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Setting up liba52-0.7.4 (0.7.4-11ubuntu1) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing liba52-0.7.4 (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libdvdread4 (4.1.3-5ubuntu2) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libdvdread4 (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libid3tag0 (0.15.1b-10build1) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libid3tag0 (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libmad0 (0.15.1b-4) ...
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libmad0 (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libmpeg2-4 (0.4.1-3) ...
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libmpeg2-4 (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Setting up libsidplay1 (1.36.59-5) ...
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
dpkg (subprocess): unable to execute installed post-installation script: Exec format error
dpkg: error processing libsidplay1 (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly:
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on liba52-0.7.4; however:
  Package liba52-0.7.4 is not configured yet.
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libdvdread4 (>= 4.1.3); however:
  Package libdvdread4 is not configured yet.
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libid3tag0 (>= 0.15.1b); however:
  Package libid3tag0 is not configured yet.
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libmad0 (>= 0.15.1b-3); however:
  Package libmad0 is not configured yet.
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libmpeg2-4; however:
  Package libmpeg2-4 is not configured yet.
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly depends on libsidplay1; however:
  Package libsidplay1 is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Setting up glabels-data (2.2No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
.5-0ubuntu1) ...

Setting up glabels (2.2.5-0ubuntu1) ...

Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/liba52-0.7.4.so is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libsidplay.so.1 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libid3tag.so.0.3.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2convert.so.0.0.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libsidplay.so.1.0.3 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmad.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libid3tag.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmad.so.0.2.1 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libdvdread.so.4.1.3 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2convert.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2.so.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libmpeg2.so.0.0.0 is empty, not checked.
/sbin/ldconfig.real: File /usr/lib/libdvdread.so.4 is empty, not checked.
Errors were encountered while processing:
 liba52-0.7.4
 libdvdread4
 libid3tag0
 libmad0
 libmpeg2-4
 libsidplay1
 gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly

I've completed bug reports and had some replies, but these are so technical I'm not even sure they were meant to be sent to me.

Don't really know what is going on there. You could try the "fix broken packages" function in the synaptic package manager in the "edit" menu. I don't if that will help, but it shouldn't hurt.

by the way, you can put long text blocks in a nice box like in the quote above by using the # button in the post window to put code tags around it.

[sublimation]

Just in case you're not that familiar with what they're talking about...

Go to System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
type in your password.

For me the easiest way to find all the kernels I have installed is by clicking on Status on the lower left, then the "Installed" section on the left side.

Now in the Search box above the main section, type "linux-headers". You should see all those same packages as on your boot list. I'd recommend highlighting all the "linux-headers-2.6.blah" except for
"linux-headers-2.6.31-19", "linux-headers-2.6.31-19-generic",
"linux-headers-2.6.31-20", and "linux-headers-2.6.31-20-generic"
right click and choose Mark for Removal

it's safe to keep two options just in case.

change the search box to "linux-image" and again pick all but the two most recent versions for removal.

almost forgot, you should leave the "linux-image-generic" and "linux-headers-generic" packages alone, they help with updates.

then go ahead and apply changes.

Next time you boot, you should see far fewer options.

hope that helps!

EDIT: Looks like you beat me to the punch Michael!

[Tony.B]

Thanks, everyone for the fast responses. So it would appear I had too many KERNELS, whatever they are.

Following Sublimation's nice detailed instructions, I've been able to get rid of most of them. It seemed to work fine, thank you, but of course I received the inevitable failure report. I took a screenshot of the report, but I'm not sure I know how to show it here:
/home/tony/Desktop/Screenshot.png

I think I've read somewhere on a forum or bug report that the sudden switching-off of my computer is somehow linked to the crashes whenever Update Manager is used, but I'm not sure about this. My previous post on this subject didn't elicit any replies, let's hope for better luck in this thread.

Tony

[Tony.B]

OK. I've just learnt how to do something else. Here's the screen shot (I hope)

[Tony.B]

Don't really know what is going on there. You could try the "fix broken packages" function in the synaptic package manager in the "edit" menu. I don't if that will help, but it shouldn't hurt.

Thanks for the idea, Michael. Unfortunately it didn't make any difference.

Cheers,
Tony

[Djalmahal]

About your temperature:

I had problems with my Toshiba:

Some kernels didn't let the fan kick in,therefore the CPU was overheating and the computer shut down.

You might want to go to GRUB and try out differnet kernels (if it worked fine with an older Ubuntu Version try out those kernels) and see if the fan kicks in.

Upgrading to Karmic (9.10) solved my overheating.
You can watch your CPU temperature with "sensor-applet", install it through synaptic and the add to panel

Hope that helps
Andreas