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Thread: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (SOLVED)

  1. #1
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    Talking how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (SOLVED)

    Hi guys, I tried to install dropbox and it failed leaving me with a problem.
    I am using ubuntu 12.04 lts on my acer aspire 1
    I have tried to correct the problem by opening up synaptic package manager but it just keeps on telling me that another program is using it. I tried the pasted suggestion below but this is all that comes up.

    sudo apt-get install -f
    [sudo] password for kevin:
    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?

    I looked in the /var/lib/dpkg and there is a file which is locked in there ! I am stumped as to where to go from here.

    Any suggestions ???
    Last edited by kevinorourke2008; April 11th, 2013 at 09:06 PM. Reason: solved

  2. #2
    ibjsb4 is offline Ubuntu addict and loving it
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Code:
    sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

  3. #3
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Quote Originally Posted by kevinorourke2008 View Post
    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?
    This error is usually reported when we try to run two apt-gets... like you may have the 'Software Updater" or Synaptic open and you try to use apt-get in the terminal. If you are doing so then don't and run only one apt-get application at one time.

    If not, then use the command in the above post by ibjsb4, then run 'apt-get update', if it doesn't work then report back with the output of apt-get update.
    "Evolution is Nature's way of issuing upgrades."


  4. #4
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Hi fantab,
    I did as you suggested and I have posted the results below !

    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
    [sudo] password for kevin:
    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$ 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?
    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$

  5. #5
    ibjsb4 is offline Ubuntu addict and loving it
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Reboot, then try an update and see if you get the same results.

  6. #6
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    ok will do

  7. #7
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Hi ibjsb4,
    I shut down and restarted, and did the same again, here are the results.

    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
    [sudo] password for kevin:
    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$ 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?
    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$

  8. #8
    ibjsb4 is offline Ubuntu addict and loving it
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    That is:

    sudo apt-get update

  9. #9
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Hi ibjsb4,
    Slightly different output this time ! I tried doing the "sudo dpkg --configure -a" and it says downloading, it goes to 100% and then stops doing anything ?

    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
    [sudo] password for kevin:
    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$ sudo apt-get update
    E: Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
    E: Unable to lock directory /var/lib/apt/lists/
    E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
    kevin@kevin-AOA150:~$

    cheers Kev.

  10. #10
    ibjsb4 is offline Ubuntu addict and loving it
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    Re: how to unlock a a lock after a failed install (need help).

    Open your "System Monitor" and go to processes. Look for any package manager or packager updater that is open, like software center, update manager, synaptic. If you find any, highlight it and use the "Kill" option. Then update.

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