sudo apt-get update (Unable To Lock The List Directory)?

[slixz85]

Hi, I am not able to install anything under software center my sources seem fine they all checked and the install button for programs changed to "use this source" and when i try to use terminal with sudo apt-get update before install i get this message:

slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo apt-get update
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (2: No such file or directory)
E: Unable to lock the list directory
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$


any help greatly appreciated

[wet-willy]

Sure looks like the error one gets when Synaptic is open and you try to use dpkg (apt-get) from command line. Shut down all GUI package management systems before running the apt-get update command. If that does not appear to be the issue, try a reboot. If that does not do anything, empty contents of /var/cache/apt/archives/partial as sudo, open a terminal while nothing else is running and issue command: sudo dpkg --configure -a
When prompt returns, try again.

[Soul-Sing]

Indeed a reboot will do mostly or try:

killall aptitude && killall apt-get

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

sudo apt-get update

then if there is a failure:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

[slixz85]

I have definitely tried rebooting and a new session still a problem. no software management running. is there a log of details i can get and post. i am not sure where to find such a thing.

this is what i just did in terminal after fresh boot

slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ killall aptitude && killall apt-get
aptitude: no process found
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo apt-get update
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (2: No such file or directory)
E: Unable to lock the list directory
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo apt-get update
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (2: No such file or directory)
E: Unable to lock the list directory
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$

? I've heard about the double process running but its not i have rebooted alot and tried. anything else maybe?

[Soul-Sing]

sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status

[slixz85]

just tried it

slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo cp /var/lib/dpkg/status-old /var/lib/dpkg/status
[sudo] password for slixz:
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$ sudo apt-get update
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (2: No such file or directory)
E: Unable to lock the list directory
slixz@slixz-netbook:~$

hmm...

[wet-willy]

I'm currently using Squeeze, I had a look at the /var/lib/apt/lists/lock file on this one and it's just an empty file. Seeing as your error suggest the file is missing, create it with command: sudo touch /var/lib/apt/lists/lock

[slixz85]

doesnt work gives same message

[evil_iggy]

try this:

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

that worked for me.

[Icche Ghuri]

try this:

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

that worked for me.

Today I,ve got this problem and this works for me too. Thanks a lot evil_iggy