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Thread: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
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    4

    Question Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    Hi, sudo apt-get update, gives the following error:


    E: Malformed line 4 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list (type)
    E: The list of sources could not be read.


    But the system says it's up to date and Line 4 says only: # newer versions of the distribution.


    Then I typed sudo -H gedit /etc/apt/sources.list in terminal. The result was as follows:


    Code:
    # deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 20.04 LTS _Focal Fossa_ - Release amd64 (20200423)]/ focal main restricted
    
    
    # See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
    # newer versions of the distribution.
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal main restricted
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal main restricted
    
    
    ## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
    ## distribution.
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates main restricted
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates main restricted
    
    
    ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
    ## team. Also, please note that software in universe WILL NOT receive any
    ## review or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal universe
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal universe
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates universe
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates universe
    
    
    ## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu 
    ## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to 
    ## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in 
    ## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
    ## security team.
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal multiverse
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal multiverse
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates multiverse
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates multiverse
    
    
    ## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
    ## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
    ## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
    ## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
    ## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
    deb http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    # deb-src http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    
    
    ## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Canonical's
    ## 'partner' repository.
    ## This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is offered by Canonical and the
    ## respective vendors as a service to Ubuntu users.
    deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu focal partner
    # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu focal partner
    
    
    deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main restricted
    # deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main restricted
    deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security universe
    # deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security universe
    deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security multiverse
    # deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security multiverse
    
    
    # This system was installed using small removable media
    # (e.g. netinst, live or single CD). The matching "deb cdrom"
    # entries were disabled at the end of the installation process.
    # For information about how to configure apt package sources,
    # see the sources.list(5) manual.
    deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/samoilov-le...-stable/ubuntu artful main
    # deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/samoilov-le...-stable/ubuntu artful main

    I'm rather new to Ubuntu. Can somebody please help me out finding the error in line 4 and what I should do?
    Last edited by deadflowr; January 17th, 2021 at 07:19 PM. Reason: code tags

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Re: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    Look at the file it tells you is having issues.
    Code:
    cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list
    Splat Double Splat Triple Splat
    Earn Your Keep
    Don't mind me, I'm only passing through.
    Once in a blue moon, I'm actually helpful
    .

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
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    Re: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    This gives me the following answer:
    deb [arch=amd64] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main

    also 2 lines below a solitary q

    what shall I do with this?

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Re: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    Remove the q and save the file.
    Splat Double Splat Triple Splat
    Earn Your Keep
    Don't mind me, I'm only passing through.
    Once in a blue moon, I'm actually helpful
    .

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Re: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    I'm sorry, I'm new with Ubuntu. Could you explain to me which file? what am I supposed to save and where should I save it?

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Distro
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    Re: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    Run
    Code:
    sudo -H gedit  /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list
    remove the lonely q and save and exit the gedit text editor.
    This will overwrite the existing file.
    No need to make or save to another file.

    Then run the apt update command again to check that the issue is fixed or not.
    Last edited by deadflowr; January 17th, 2021 at 08:13 PM. Reason: more clearerer
    Splat Double Splat Triple Splat
    Earn Your Keep
    Don't mind me, I'm only passing through.
    Once in a blue moon, I'm actually helpful
    .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Beans
    4

    Re: Line 4 error - The list of sources could not be read.

    Thanks so much! It works now!

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