77

Update Manager will not update even though I have over 100 updates to install. I get a error message like this:

installArchives() failed: 
Extracting templates from packages: 29%%
Extracting templates from packages: 58%%
Extracting templates from packages: 88%%
Extracting templates from packages: 100%%
Preconfiguring packages ...

Extracting templates from packages: 29%%
Extracting templates from packages: 58%%
Extracting templates from packages: 88%%
Extracting templates from packages: 100%%
Preconfiguring packages ...

Extracting templates from packages: 29%%
Extracting templates from packages: 58%%
Extracting templates from packages: 88%%
Extracting templates from packages: 100%%
Preconfiguring packages ...

Extracting templates from packages: 29%%
Extracting templates from packages: 58%%
Extracting templates from packages: 88%%
Extracting templates from packages: 100%%
Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 
(Reading database ... 5%%
(Reading database ... 10%%
(Reading database ... 15%%
(Reading database ... 20%%
(Reading database ... 25%%
(Reading database ... 30%%
(Reading database ... 35%%
(Reading database ... 40%%
(Reading database ... 45%%
(Reading database ... 50%%
(Reading database ... 55%%
(Reading database ... 60%%
(Reading database ... 65%%
(Reading database ... 70%%
(Reading database ... 75%%
(Reading database ... 80%%
(Reading database ... 85%%
(Reading database ... 90%%
(Reading database ... 95%%
(Reading database ... 100%%
(Reading database ... 189751 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace python-problem-report 2.0.1-0ubuntu7 (using .../python-problem-report_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb) ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/python-problem-report_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace python-apport 2.0.1-0ubuntu7 (using .../python-apport_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb) ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/python-apport_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace apport 2.0.1-0ubuntu7 (using .../apport_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb) ...
apport stop/waiting
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/apport_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
apport start/running
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace gnome-orca 3.4.1-0ubuntu0.1 (using .../gnome-orca_3.4.2-0ubuntu0.1_all.deb) ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/gnome-orca_3.4.2-0ubuntu0.1_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace python-piston-mini-client 0.7.2-0ubuntu1 (using .../python-piston-mini-client_0.7.2+bzr57-0ubuntu1_all.deb) ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/python-piston-mini-client_0.7.2+bzr57-0ubuntu1_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace oneconf 0.2.8 (using .../oneconf_0.2.8.1_all.deb) ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/oneconf_0.2.8.1_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace software-center 5.2.2 (using .../software-center_5.2.2.2_all.deb) ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pyclean", line 33, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/software-center_5.2.2.2_all.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/pycompile", line 39, in <module>
    from debpython.namespace import add_namespace_files
ValueError: bad marshal data (unknown type code)
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Preparing to replace libglade2-0 1:2.6.4-1ubuntu1 (using .../libglade2-0_1%%3a2.6.4-1ubuntu1.1_amd64.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libglade2-0 ...
Preparing to replace libv4l-0 0.8.6-1ubuntu1 (using .../libv4l-0_0.8.6-1ubuntu2_amd64.deb) ...
De-configuring libv4l-0:i386 ...
Unpacking replacement libv4l-0 ...
Preparing to replace libv4l-0:i386 0.8.6-1ubuntu1 (using .../libv4l-0_0.8.6-1ubuntu2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libv4l-0:i386 ...
Preparing to replace libv4lconvert0:i386 0.8.6-1ubuntu1 (using .../libv4lconvert0_0.8.6-1ubuntu2_i386.deb) ...
De-configuring libv4lconvert0 ...
Unpacking replacement libv4lconvert0:i386 ...
Preparing to replace libv4lconvert0 0.8.6-1ubuntu1 (using .../libv4lconvert0_0.8.6-1ubuntu2_amd64.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libv4lconvert0 ...
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/python-problem-report_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/python-apport_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/apport_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/gnome-orca_3.4.2-0ubuntu0.1_all.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/python-piston-mini-client_0.7.2+bzr57-0ubuntu1_all.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/oneconf_0.2.8.1_all.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/software-center_5.2.2.2_all.deb
Error in function: 
SystemError: E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
Setting up libglade2-0 (1:2.6.4-1ubuntu1.1) ...
dpkg: error processing gnome-orca (--configure):
 Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
 reinstall it before attempting configuration.
dpkg: error processing python-problem-report (--configure):
 Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
 reinstall it before attempting configuration.
Setting up libv4lconvert0 (0.8.6-1ubuntu2) ...
Setting up libv4lconvert0:i386 (0.8.6-1ubuntu2) ...
dpkg: error processing python-piston-mini-client (--configure):
 Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
 reinstall it before attempting configuration.
Setting up libv4l-0 (0.8.6-1ubuntu2) ...
Setting up libv4l-0:i386 (0.8.6-1ubuntu2) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python-apport:
 python-apport depends on python-problem-report (>= 0.94); however:
  Package python-problem-report is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing python-apport (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of software-center:
 software-center depends on python-piston-mini-client (>= 0.1+bzr29); however:
  Package python-piston-mini-client is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing software-center (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of oneconf:
 oneconf depends on python-piston-mini-client (>= 0.3+bzr32-0ubuntu1); however:
  Package python-piston-mini-client is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing oneconf (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of apport:
 apport depends on python-apport (>= 2.0.1-0ubuntu7); however:
  Package python-apport is not configured yet.
dpkg: error processing apport (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place

This has been going on for two weeks now and I cannot get any updates. Any help would be great.

4
  • 1
    Please add 4 spaces before each line of 'output'. Please confirm which Ubuntu version.
    – david6
    Jun 9, 2012 at 4:06
  • 1
    @david6 Looks like he is using 12.04. Unless he is using Precise packages in Oneiric or other release version. (cue: gnome-orca version is 3.4 among others)
    – jokerdino
    Jun 9, 2012 at 4:33
  • I tried editing the title to be more specific and took the freedom to add in a 12.04 tag. If any of you disagree, feel free to edit accordingly.
    – jokerdino
    Jun 9, 2012 at 4:40
  • 1
    The python-problem-report version is part of a precise apport SRU release June 4. Jun 10, 2012 at 16:51

7 Answers 7

137

You need to force overwriting of the files causing the errors:

sudo dpkg -i --force-overwrite <filename>

In your case it's going to be:

sudo dpkg -i --force-overwrite /var/cache/apt/archives/python-problem-report_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb

Then run:

sudo apt-get -f install

Source: http://www.absolutelytech.com/2010/06/30/solved-error-dpkg-error-processing-filename-unpack-trying-to-overwrite/

6
  • 3
    I was having similar issues with getting an overriding problem error and running sudo dpkg -i --force-overwrite <filename> fixed it. Thanks!
    – Mike Grace
    Jan 20, 2014 at 6:36
  • 1
    +1 i was facing this issue of wine in my ubuntu16.04 OS from a long time. its resolved now. thanks for your valuable answer. Mar 4, 2017 at 6:13
  • 1
    +1 This stops lxqt daily ppa complaining about my abuses. Sep 22, 2017 at 0:39
  • +1 I had the same issue with wireless-regdb package and that helped. Dec 18, 2020 at 18:38
  • This worked like a charm for mee too. Thank you. Nov 27, 2021 at 1:56
46

You can try the following command:

sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

If you still end up with the same error, try:

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install

Even if that doesn't work and you still get the same error, check back and we can sort this out.

3
  • 1
    I had a similar problem with E:Problem renaming the file /var/cache/apt/pkgcache.bin.random chars. Tried the first approach and that worked famouisly.
    – Elder Geek
    Dec 9, 2015 at 14:30
  • 1
    This had no effect for me. I still get a ton of errors like "dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of *"
    – Cerin
    Jun 25, 2016 at 17:39
  • 4
    What does sudo dpkg --configure -a this mean? Jan 10, 2017 at 6:34
5

It might be a bug in the python-problem-report package or python-minimal package or a bad copy of the package.

I see that this is package from precise-proposed. You may wish to delete this repository from your software sources list and execute apt-get update from a terminal session (Ctrl-Alt-T) to recover.

You can also try deleting python-problem-report_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb from /var/cache/apt/archives so apt-get upgrade will have to download a fresh copy again. In the terminal (Ctrl-Alt-T) type:

sudo rm /var/cache/apt/archives/python-problem-report_2.0.1-0ubuntu9_all.deb

Alternatively you can use:

sudo apt-get clean

to erase all of the downloaded files in your cache.

Try the upgrade again.

If neither of these help you should leave a comment at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/984944 describing your experience in using this proposed package, or once the package is generally release, file a bug against the apport package.

I've left one comment about this question at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/984944 but you should add a comment describing the steps you have gone through and the output from apt-get upgrade from above.

3
  • 2
    While you are right on the money that it probably is a bug in python-problem-report, I am not comfortable recommending the sudo rm command. That should definitely be the last resort. Good job otherwise!
    – jokerdino
    Jun 9, 2012 at 4:30
  • So long as the sudo rm ... command is not mistyped it should be fine and needn't be considered a last resort: files in /var/cache/apt/archives are just archived (i.e., left over) package files. As John S Gruber says, the somewhat commonly recommended sudo apt-get clean command deletes all those files. Deleting a cached .deb file is a safe and effective way of ensuring a new (and hopefully uncorrupted) .deb must be downloaded next time the package is installed (or reinstalled). Apr 18, 2015 at 7:01
  • Didn't work for me
    – Hack-R
    Sep 21, 2016 at 4:41
5
sudo update-alternatives --config python

There are 2 choices for the alternative python (providing /usr/bin/python).

  Selection    Path                Priority   Status
------------------------------------------------------------
  0            /usr/bin/python3.5   2         auto mode
* 1            /usr/bin/python2.7   1         manual mode
  2            /usr/bin/python3.5   2         manual mode

Press <enter> to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 

Select option python2.7.

0
3

As an alternative, you might try removing the package and adding it afterwards. This worked for me on the Citrix client. Be careful about what you're removing (of course).

sudo apt-get remove icaclient:i386
1

I encountered a similar problem on a system which had both python 2.7 and python 3.4 installed. The problem was a compatibility issue with the package python-subversion, which apparently only works with python 2 due to a change in ConfigParser. I addressed it by doing

ls -la /usr/bin | grep python

To confirm that the python executable on my path was a symlink to python 3. Then

ln -s /usr/bin/python2.7 /usr/bin/python

To use python 2 instead. After that apt-get was able to complete normally, and I reverted my symlink change.

rm -f /usr/bin/python
ln -s /usr/bin/python3.4 /usr/bin/python
1
  • The last 2 commands can be replaced by ln -rs /usr/bin/python3.4 /usr/bin/python. Also, if you already have another symlink /usr/bin/python3 pointing to the latest python3 release, as it usually happens, you can make another step forward with ln -rs /usr/bin/python3 /usr/bin/python. Anyway, thanks for the solution, it worked for me after a problem in the mercurial installation.
    – tigerjack
    May 17, 2016 at 18:44
-3

Try this:

mount -t proc proc /proc

It worked for me.

1
  • Can you add an explanation on why this is a solution?
    – Igor V.
    Jul 3, 2018 at 16:06

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