"dpkg --configure -a" error
 

Ok, so here goes:
I have a Dell PowerEdge 400SC dual boot with Kubuntu and WinXP. I had been using the WinXP boot for the past few months and I finally got a new video card (ChainTech GeForce 6600) because it was just too painful. I installed the drivers on the WinXP part and decided I would configure my Kubuntu to the new video card now that I have some free time.
I believe I got everything to work as far as configuring the video card, but for some reason it started up Ubuntu with KDE (instead of Gnome) and I thought I would be a good idea to just update everything while I was at it. So I ran a smart update with Kynaptic, and after downloading all the new packages, it started to install but about a minute after it started, the computer froze. I shut it down, restarted it on Kubuntu (also KDE) and ran Kynaptic. I got this error:

!--
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
--!

So, I went to my terminal window and ran that command, but now I get this error:

!--
dpkg: parse error, in file `/var/lib/dpkg/updates/0024' near line 24 package `dbus-1':
EOF during value of field `Description' (missing final newline)
--!

I have no clue what to do now. If you need more info on my system, let me know.

Thanks!

Re: "dpkg --configure -a" error
 

cd /var/lib/dpkg/updates
rm *


That ought to do it! :p

That directory is empty on my machine so I'd assume that it is a temporary directory and you have a damaged file in there.

Thanks!
That seems to do the trick.

I'm having the same problem. A different error though. This is the error I'm getting:
dpkg: requested operation requires superuser privilege

I have no idea wat do, any help would be gladly appreciated.

DR

Put sudo in front of the command and it is usually best to start new threads for your problems instead of digging up old ones and posting into them.

dpgk --configure -a
 

I have been following this hoping to solve my problem, created I suspect when I removed four different java folders. Now I am unable to install, via Synaptic, security upgrades and get the following:

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

running the requested command results in:

bob@Bob:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
Setting up sun-java6-doc (6-03-0ubuntu2) ...
This package is an installer package, it does not actually contain the
JDK documentation. You will need to go download one of the
archives:

jdk-6-doc.zip jdk-6-doc-ja.zip

(choose the non-update version if this is the first installation).
Please visit

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/

now and download. The file should be owned by root.root and be copied
to /tmp.

[Press RETURN to try again, 'no' + RETURN to abort]

-----------------------------------

I am confused when reaching the java.sun.com/savase/downloads/ site because the requested files do not appear there, maybe it is my eyes,.


Confusion reigns, your assistance appreciated

Bob

addition to the above post
 

running about:plugins shows JAVA installed and running in Foxfire browser? So, it would not appear to need to run/install the complete JDK for the the Java site???

Bob

Solved, is there somewhere else to note the solution?
 

See Bug #113424, I also downloaded, again, and installed. Finally removed files from /usr/jvm. Probably would have been much easier, for me, but as a newbie it was a good learning experience. Finding the terminal has become very important, but frustrated that it too is a steep learning curve. Patience is something acquired very slowly.,

Bob

ubuntu update
 

"E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report."
was my message when i tried to update. i have ubuntu and don't know that much about computers but i went to the terminal and typed in "dpkg --configure -a" like it said what i got was "dpkg:requested operation requires super user privileges"
i know that means you need admin permission but I am the admin. so what do i do?

dpkg --configure -a error
 

I'm pretty new at this; but I typed:

"sudo dpkg --configure -a" (sudo) giving super user privilege. Was asked for loging password; provided same. and I don't know what if anything happened (was returned to the bob@bob: -$ how do I confirm the action(s) have taken place?

thank you! it fixed the problem. as for you're question, if you were having the same problem as me and couldn't update then you should check you're update manager and it should work fine!
thanks again

P.S. lol i have to wait a couple hours because i have 73 updates now

"E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report." was my message when I tried to update my Ubuntu.
I opened the terminal and typed in "dpkg --configure -a" as the message said.
Subsequently, I got this message "dpkg:requested operation requires super user privileges"; therefore I typed in "sudo dpkg --configure -a" as it was suggested in the forum. At this point, the password was asked for the login ("[sudo] password for user:"), but as soon as I try to type my password, no word is written. Do you have any suggestion?

Thanks a lot

You won't see the password repeated in the terminal window. Just hit a return and either the command will run, or a conplaint will be returned, tell you what went wrong, asking you to re-enter the command.

Bob

i have the sam problem...help would be nice?

Once you got the message "dpkg:requested operation requires super user privileges", you have to type in "sudo dpkg --configure -a".
As soon as the password will be asked for the login ("[sudo] password for user:"), you have to type your password, but as Bobrm2 pointed out in his comment (Btw, thank you very much! You were incredibly useful!), you won't see the password repeated in the terminal window.
Subsequently, the command will run or a complaint will be returned and will tell you what went wrong, asking you to re-enter the command.

Good luck!