Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailab

[yeehi]

I have just installed Ubuntu 12.04 in VirtualBox.
I want to update the system.

This is the error message I get:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
 Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)

I have tried repeatedly but keep getting the same error message. I can reach the Internet with Firefox.

What is the problem?
What should I do?

[kc1di]

do you have software center running or synaptic. or update manager?

in any event log out and back in and see if that does it.

[kc1di]

if that does not work try these commands:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf 
sudo apt-get update

[madmalc]

This worked for me - had same problem in 10.04

[sumonbdinfo]

if that does not work try these commands:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf 
sudo apt-get update

Hi,
Thank you for this. I was faced this problem and your way help me for fix this

[gideonmaina]

yes the solution to clearing the lock is the one that got me out !

[Ashiq_Irphan]

if that does not work try these commands:

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* -vf 
sudo apt-get update

Thanks, this one worked for me

[kinetonat]

Thanks, this one worked for me

I tried this command in the terminal and thought it might be working as it began to many packages.

However I get this further message:

Fetched 19.8 MB in 38s (520 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?

or if i try again with apt get-update


E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (13: Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock directory /var/lib/apt/lists/
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (13: Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root?
ap@ap-HP-Compaq-dc7600-Convertible-Minitower:~$

It seems to have been happening since i went in search of software in the software centre (12.04 LTS), which could not be found, that the searching just won't stop. I have tried to kill the software centre, log out, and reboot but constantly the 'progress arrows' still show a search continuing.

This is shown also in update manager. ['Unable to get exclusive lock

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

[kinetonat]

just tried this command:
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

And now have something new going on - as pictured

it just hung there.

In terminal ic an see the problem as:

Fetched 19.8 MB in 1min 48s (183 kB/s)
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
ap@ap-HP-Compaq-dc7600-Convertible-Minitower:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
Setting up ntp (1:4.2.6.p3+dfsg-1ubuntu3.1) ...
* Starting NTP server ntpd *** glibc detected *** lockfile-create: free(): invalid next size (fast): 0x08525008 ***
*** glibc detected *** lockfile-create: malloc(): memory corruption (fast): 0x08525048 ***

Can i get any help?

[ibjsb4]

Just do what it says:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

But this is a partial upgrade so don't expect wonders.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1859240