apt-get question

[Slackmonster]

I have noticed that almost every time I do an install that requires many packages and dependencies (which seems to be the norm for me) that the install won't go smoothly and I'll get errors about dependency problems. Most of the time, the error message states that the package can't be installed because it depends on another package but it's not going to be installed. I've found that usually if I poke around long enough I can find one package that if I install by itself, it will often free up the rest of the install.

So, my question is this: When apt-get errors out in this manner, is that basically a sign that you have a rat's nest of packages that it can't cleanly figure out all the dependencies? Does it mean something else?

I'm sorry for the poor sentence structure, but I've been at work for 12 hours and am too tired to go back and proof. ;)

[sarah31]

Well I had this problem before and it was usually after I had done a apt-get dist-upgrade. You may need to update a few critical apps such as apt and related materials. I believe as well that there is a dpkg or apt command that will repair that "broken" files. Check the man pages for this as I don't remember exactly.

If you post the packages that are causing the problem someone here might be able to give you a better indication of what to do.

Personally, I would do an apt-get install of apt and apt-utils and see where that gets you.

[ 18 March 2002: Message edited by: sarah31 ]

[Slackmonster]

Yup, that is how I resolved it each time, by figuring out what key file was causing problems and stopping all the rest of the packages to fall into place. But I think you nailed it on the head with it being related to a dist-upgrade. I know that the most recent time that I had problems was because of a dist-upgrade and add on top of that trying to install Ximian packages. Hell, by the time I got done, it didn't know whether to get the gnome packages from Siberia or the Sahara desert. :D

[ 18 March 2002: Message edited by: Slackmonster ]

[sarah31]

Have you done a apt-get -f dist-upgrade lately?
I always do one after I have done a regular dist upgrade. I have never had troubles since.

[Slackmonster]

Holy cripes! I didn't know you could do that! I'll have to try that on the current machine I'm having troubles with. If it works, it will save me a whole evening of headaches! Thanks a bunch!!! :D