I've somehow have broken apt - Cannot process updates

Question

I get this error constantly trying to update or install anything;

E: Internal Error, No file name for libgcc1

Can anyone assist I've run out of options last chance before I just wipe this thing out and start over?

Answer 1

I saw this on a system being upgraded from 12.04LTS to 14.04LTS. I was able to 'rescue' the system with a combination of the steps below:

You may only need to issue this command to fix it:

# dpkg --configure -a

('#' means from a root prompt, which you get with 'sudo su')

See How to fix E: Internal Error, No file name for libc6

But it may be a little more involved than that.

This sequence should help towards reviving the system:

# apt-get clean
# apt-get install -fy
  (ignore the error at the end)
# dpkg -i /var/cache/apt/archives/*.deb
# dpkg --configure -a
# apt-get install -fy

If the 'dpkg -i' command returns with errors, do the 'dpkg --configure -a', but then go back and repeat the 'dpkg -i', but with the 'E' option to speed it up a little:

# dpkg -Ei /var/cache/apt/archives/*.deb

Eventually, 'apt-get install -fy' should be able to run again, possibly even finish without errors, after which your system should be ok again. Do that cycle 'dpkg -i', 'dpkg --configure', 'apt-get install' a couple of times as long at it keeps making some progress.

See: 1 and 2

If the above doesn't work, then this may work:

# dpkg -i /var/cache/apt/archives/*BLA*.deb

for 'BLA', replace with the last word of the error message 'E: Internal Error, No file name for BLA'.

If that command says something like 'cannot be configured because WOOPS:MEH is at a different version', then

# dpkg --purge --force-all WOOPS:MEH

And repeat the 'dpkg -i' command.

After this, go back to the sequence with 'apt-get install -fy' above. You may have to come back to this section for another 'BLA' package, and repeat...

After all this, I would suggest to do an 'apt-get dist-upgrade' again, and/or 'apt-get install ubuntu-desktop', etc to make sure all the needed packages are there.

You may actually finally need to iterate between 'apt-get install -fy' and 'apt-get dist-upgrade' a couple of times before you get a fully working setup again (stop if both commands finish without errors).

Answer 2

You can try sudo apt-get install -f