Score:0

How do I fix an error code that wont let me install or update anything?

cn flag

This is the message that displays every time I try to update or install anything:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following additional packages will be installed:
  libvdpau1
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  libvdpau1
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 24 not upgraded.
298 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/25.6 kB of archives.
After this operation, 109 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 162877 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../libvdpau1_1.3-1ubuntu2_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libvdpau1:amd64 (1.3-1ubuntu2) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/libvdpau1_1.3-1ubuntu2_am
d64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite shared '/etc/vdpau_wrapper.cfg', which is different from ot
her instances of package libvdpau1:amd64
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/libvdpau1_1.3-1ubuntu2_amd64.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
```output of ls -la /etc/apt/sources.list.d/
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
"298 not fully installed or removed" means a seriously broken package management.
Bozak avatar
cn flag
what are my recommended options?
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
Any such recommendations are above my pay grade.
us flag
Please edit your question and add the output of `ls -la /etc/apt/sources.list.d/`
karel avatar
sa flag
Does this answer your question? [Trying to overwrite ... which is different from other instances of package](https://askubuntu.com/questions/855474/trying-to-overwrite-which-is-different-from-other-instances-of-package)
Bozak avatar
cn flag
It did not work. Went down that rabbit hole and tried all the commands i could find. Still unsuccessful so far. Still looking though thank you
Score:0
br flag

I would try the following:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

Also, I would remove libvdpau1 temporarily and try to get everything working with "dpkg --configure" and "apt --fix-broken". You might want to remove it with:

sudo dpkg -r --force-depends libvdpau1

This is to prevent removing anything else. Note that this will temporarily leave your package system in a broken state if there are packages that depend on libvdpau1, but your package system is in a broken state already.

Once you get things working, try reinstalling it.

The error about the Gnome PPA missing a release file seems unrelated to your current problem. It is probably due having activated a PPA after an update to a newer version (Focal) and the PPA not being configured to that new version. In general, using a PPA for something like Gnome that is an integral part of the system is not a great idea, but I digress. You should fix your /etc/apt/sources.list and /etc/apt/sources.list.d

Bozak avatar
cn flag
When I try that second command I get this warning. (dpkg: warning: ignoring request to remove libvdpau1:amd64, only the config files of which are on the system; use --purge to remove them too)
gaussian avatar
br flag
I'd recommend that you just add the --purge to it. That way you'll get the broken package out of your system.
Score:0
us flag

Try this:

sudo apt clean
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall libvdpau1
sudo apt --fix-broken install

Explanation:

  1. apt clean - Clean the download packages cache; this will cause the package files to be downloaded again.
  2. apt update - Update the database that stores the list of software packages
  3. apt install --reinstall libvdpau1 reinstall the package libvdpau1 that seems to be causing your issues
  4. apt --fix-broken install - Attempt to correct broken dependencies
Bozak avatar
cn flag
E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/gnome3-team/gnome3/ubuntu focal Release' does not have a Release file. N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default. N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details. E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/gnome3-team/gnome3-staging/ubuntu focal Release' does not have a Release file. N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default. N: See apt-secure(8)manpageforrepositorycreationanduserconfigurationdetails.
Bozak avatar
cn flag
this message is what i got
us flag
OK. I think I see what is going on. Please edit your question and add the output of `ls -la /etc/apt/sources.list.d/`.
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