My linux system is NOT fixing its broken packages

[rotten69]

Hi people,

I just re-installed Linux on my machine and I am trying to update it by using the command

sudo apt-get update

and the error messages I get in the terminal are

Err http://security.ubuntu.com natty-security InRelease
  
Err http://extras.ubuntu.com natty InRelease
  
Err http://security.ubuntu.com natty-security Release.gpg
  Could not resolve 'security.ubuntu.com'
Err http://extras.ubuntu.com natty Release.gpg
  Could not resolve 'extras.ubuntu.com'
Err http://au.archive.ubuntu.com natty InRelease
  
Err http://au.archive.ubuntu.com natty-updates InRelease
  
Err http://au.archive.ubuntu.com natty Release.gpg
  Could not resolve 'au.archive.ubuntu.com'
Err http://au.archive.ubuntu.com natty-updates Release.gpg
  Could not resolve 'au.archive.ubuntu.com'
Reading package lists... Done
W: Failed to fetch http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty/InRelease  

W: Failed to fetch http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty-updates/InRelease  

W: Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty-security/InRelease  

W: Failed to fetch http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty/InRelease  

W: Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty-security/Release.gpg  Could not resolve 'security.ubuntu.com'

W: Failed to fetch http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty/Release.gpg  Could not resolve 'extras.ubuntu.com'

W: Failed to fetch http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty/Release.gpg  Could not resolve 'au.archive.ubuntu.com'

W: Failed to fetch http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/natty-updates/Release.gpg  Could not resolve 'au.archive.ubuntu.com'

W: Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead.

How do I fixall these problems above mentioned ? and I also have a problem whenever I download GNOME 3. My desktop enviroment plays up when I adjust it. So, the bar where the three icons are (close window, minimise/ maximise and hide) is gone for some reasons. The desktop runs really really slow and usually, I would have to restart my laptop.

I'd appreciate your help.

cheers,

[rotten69]

I also face this problem that is giving me errors whenever I try installing softwares; the error is

E: Unable to locate package Avant
E: Unable to locate package Window
E: Unable to locate package Navigator

[khakilang]

First of all after you do a fresh install of Ubuntu. You need to do an update from update manager. Maybe the server you select may have problem or maybe your internet connection is unstable. Have you try other server? I always use the Main server or choose the best server. You can select the server from the Software source. By the way what version of Ubuntu you are using?

[rotten69]

I'm using ubuntu 11.04 and it is the latest version. OK, I fixed the problems. Then, the top navigation bar has gone for some reasons. To tell you more about I have installed, there is no compiz or gnome 3. I tried installing them then the system was UNABLE to locate the packages location. What I did was I installed Navigator window something.. that is the name of the software for custimizing the desktop. After a few mintues of using it, I was not happy to keep it then I uninstalled it and restart my laptop. I activated the graphics card and had to restart the laptop then it's all gone in a sudden.

cheers,

[khakilang]

In Ubuntu 11.04. It is either using Unity or Gnome classic. If you don't like Unity you can always go back to Gnome classic. For Gnome 3 you may need install it yourself. To use Gnome classic. You just have to log out and log in again and go to the menu at the bottom to select Gnome classic. Try it out and let us know. For more help you can visit ubuntuforums.org.

[jbirdsall]

With both issues, I see what you've copies seems to mention and E: drive and a W: drive. I believe you might be running Ubuntu from a Live CD. Live CDs are generally for short trials and not actual use.

[rotten69]

I installed the system from a CD if that is what you're saying there. How/where do I get a stable ubuntu for actual use?

cheers

[JasonHippy]

With both issues, I see what you've copies seems to mention and E: drive and a W: drive.

E: and W: are not referring to drives at all, this is Linux NOT Windows!
The lines of text with 'E:' at the start are error messages. The ones with 'W:' at the start are warnings! Although personally I fail to see any difference, the warnings are still error messages aren't they?! heh heh!

I believe you might be running Ubuntu from a Live CD. Live CDs are generally for short trials and not actual use.

What do you mean 'not actual use'? Of course live CDs can be used!
For example:
I have a really old desktop PC at home with no hard-drive, which does not support booting from USB. Rather than throw it away, I boot it with live CDs (Tiny core, lUbuntu, Puppy etc. Basically anything that comes to hand!). Any documents we need to save are saved to a USB memory stick. So it's kinda like a kiosk. Our daughter uses it a lot with a Qimo liveCD (lightweight Xubuntu based distro aimed at kids).

It also comes in handy as a fallback when she's hogging one of our laptops. So my wife or I can get online and do internet shopping/banking. And because it's a live CD and everything is stored in RAM, no traces of any transactions are stored on the PC. So once the PC's shut down any information like that is gone for good! And there's absolutely no way that any of my kids can damage the operating system either (other than removing or damaging the Live CD). And the simple fix in that case is to burn another CD!

I know this is probably a pretty exceptional case, but live CD's can be used for more than just test-driving a distro, or installing a working system. They can be used for day to day usage!

Going back on topic...
@ OP:
From your posted output, it looks like Aptitude is saying that it cannot resolve the server names for the Ubuntu repositories and that it cannot download the package lists. Which indicates that there is most likely a problem with your network/internet connection. So you might want to check your connections.
e.g.
If you're using wireless, you might want to check that your wireless card is supported and is working with the default Ubuntu/Linux drivers. You might also want to check the network manager to ensure that you are connected correctly to your router (correct WPA key etc.).

If the wireless card is not supported or not working, or if you're having problems connecting wirelessly, you might want to consider connecting to your router via a wired connection (which should connect you automatically) and then try 'sudo apt-get update' again before looking for an appropriate wireless driver and doing whatever else you want to do.

Regarding Gnome 3 in Ubuntu 11.04. I don't think the full version of Gnome 3 is in the main repositories ATM. I think there's a preview/demo/testing version in there. I think the best way to install Gnome 3 is via a PPA.
You should also note that after installing Gnome 3, if you decide you don't want it any more; removing it is NOT easy. In fact it's a real ball-ache. It's probably much quicker and easier to completely re-install Ubuntu than it is to fully remove Gnome 3!

Anyway, to install Gnome 3 via a ppa, this is what I used when I was trying it on Ubuntu 11.04: (official Gnome 3 ppa)

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist upgrade -f
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

From a fresh install of Ubuntu, I'd recommend sorting out your connection problems, then use the update manager to get any important system updates before attempting to install Gnome3 from the ppa!

[JasonHippy]

I installed the system from a CD if that is what you're saying there. How/where do I get a stable ubuntu for actual use?

cheers

The Live CD IS a stable release....Well, supposedly! heh heh!
As Ubuntu is a bleeding edge distribution their releases can be a bit buggy sometimes, but their live CDs are generally stable enough for day to day use.

If you want assured stability you might want to consider using Ubuntu 10.04 which is the current LTS version (long time support). Otherwise 10.10 is a pretty good bet.

After installing from any live CD (regardless of the distro), getting the latest updates will also aid stability.

Linux live CD's are stable and provide a good basic system for a typical users day to day needs, which you can install and then customise to your hearts content. But when it comes to customising your system, you need to exercise a little caution. Especially if you aren't sure what you are doing. You need to be very careful about which things you install and uninstall. If you go carelessly uninstalling a critical system component, then you will undoubtedly have problems.

And unlike Windows, Linux will do whatever you tell it to even if that damages/breaks the system. And most of the time it won't even warn you that you are about to break something!

[jbirdsall]

I realize we are not in Windows. :) I had just finished writing a reply after the poster asked why they couldn't uninstall Ubuntu from an icon in Windows 7.

Nice way to reuse that old desktop and those are perfect reasons. It's great to reuse an old machine like that. I guess I should have just said that personally, I would rather not use a Live CD. Great tips on getting Gnome3 installed.

[bridesmaiddress]

Your Internet connection is unstable. Did you try another server?

[Stefano Mtangoo]

Anyway, to install Gnome 3 via a ppa, this is what I used when I was trying it on Ubuntu 11.04: (official Gnome 3 ppa)

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist upgrade -f
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
From a fresh install of Ubuntu, I'd recommend sorting out your connection problems, then use the update manager to get any important system updates before attempting to install Gnome3 from the ppa!

If you have natty and you execute the code in red, it will upgrade to Oneiric alpha. It almost did with my Installation and It is hard to revert!

[rotten69]

Just an update on my system at the moment, it does not take me to the desktop enviroment. But, I can access the ubuntu BIOS screen. OK, what happens when I start my laptop now is that it loads till the boot-loader screen then I choose ubuntu to run then the screen looks unpleasing. It seems to be messing around with my graphics card which apparently is not loading properly.

What can I do to solve this? Before this happens, I played around with boot loader manager ( changing background images and things)

[Stefano Mtangoo]

Just an update on my system at the moment, it does not take me to the desktop enviroment. But, I can access the ubuntu BIOS screen. OK, what happens when I start my laptop now is that it loads till the boot-loader screen then I choose ubuntu to run then the screen looks unpleasing. It seems to be messing around with my graphics card which apparently is not loading properly.

What can I do to solve this? Before this happens, I played around with boot loader manager ( changing background images and things)

What Os and desktop enviroment do you have?

[rotten69]

I've got ubuntu and win7

[Adley001]

Hi,I think I may ask in this thread.I am using Win 7 which is quite good for , What about Linux , I have heard as good operating system.Just for information what is the main differentiation.never used before.

[Stefano Mtangoo]

I've got ubuntu and win7

try Ubuntu classic and see if it runs well. May be your graphics cards cannot run unity. If that is the case, there is unity 2D

[rotten69]

I am not too sure why it is messing with Nvidia. I get to the GRUB screen where I have to choose which OS I want to use. Then, I choose ubuntu to run after a few seconds, I see the screen going black and it doesn't get me to log-in screen.

What happened was I had this app called Burg-manager installed and I was playing around with it to change the background image and log-in background image and stuff. Then, my OS crashes badly so I can not log in normally.

[flagstar]

I think you should get the previous Ubuntu distro like 10.04 and 10.10...
I'm still using 10.04 for their Long Term Support (LTS) so if anything's wrong they can fix it. 10.10 is good too and slightly better than 10.04 in term of graphics.

I've heard so many problem involving 11.04 and with new Unity including from new user to old one...

[rotten69]

Yeah, I'm using 10.4. If I install 10.10, Will I be able to keep/transfer all apps to my ubuntu 10.10?

Cheers,

[rotten69]

Or maybe, I can upgrade it in a terminal?

[flagstar]

Yes you can. Most compatible apps can still be used after upgrade. You can update it using update manager. There should be an upgrade option that was optional...

[rotten69]

I opened the update manager to see whether there is an option for upgrading my system or not. There is an option for updating apps, not the system. So, this means that I'd have to upgrade manually(downloading the version I want and then installing it and so on..).

[Stefano Mtangoo]

I opened the update manager to see whether there is an option for upgrading my system or not. There is an option for updating apps, not the system. So, this means that I'd have to upgrade manually(downloading the version I want and then installing it and so on..).

follow instructions in
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/upgrade

[rotten69]

Thanks. I will try upgrading it.

[Tomashqooo]

<<Back|Track5 ruleeeez

[Stefano Mtangoo]

<<Back|Track5 ruleeeez

BT5 as other BTs is mostly for PenTesters and Sec. persons

[JasonHippy]

If you have natty and you execute the code in red, it will upgrade to Oneiric alpha. It almost did with my Installation and It is hard to revert!

Oops, sorry! My bad, looks like I should have proof-read and sanity checked my post.
The offending line in red should have been:

sudo apt-get upgrade -f

NOT

sudo apt-get dist upgrade -f

Apologies for that!

So the full instructions for installing Gnome3 should have been:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade -f
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell