Unable to install anything on Ubuntu 14.04

Question

Whenever I try to run any apt-get command, it gives me this error message:

dpkg: error: corrupt info database format file '/var/lib/dpkg/info/format'

E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)

Please advice how to rectify this.

possible duplicate of How do I rebuild a corrupt dpkg status file? — Tim, Aug 6, 2014 at 14:26
Is this a duplicate? It sounds like the error is happening in different files, which would mean that the fix could be completely different. — Michael Martin-Smucker, Aug 6, 2014 at 15:13

Michael Martin-Smucker · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-06 16:09:55Z

1

Delete that "format" file, or if you're paranoid, back it up (move it to the RAM disk):

sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/info/format /dev/shm

Mine only contains the number 1 and a carriage return (\n), resulting in a two byte file. You can create this from the command line:

sudo printf "1\n" > /var/lib/dpkg/info/format

If it fails, then simply restore your backed up "format" file over the top of the new one you created.

sudo mv /dev/shm/format /var/lib/dpkg/info/

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answered Aug 6, 2014 at 15:04

Jeff Sereno

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Are there any risks with doing this? Could you edit to include them, and a rm command so that we are less likely to delete the wrong file?
– Tim
Aug 6, 2014 at 15:13
If you're paranoid, then do this: sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/info/format /dev/shm which will move the "format" file into the RAM disk, then create a new file using your favourite text editor (type in 1 then enter, then save your file). If it fails, then simply mv /dev/shm/format /var/lib/dpkg/info/ which will restore your backed up "format" file over the top of the new one you created.
– Jeff Sereno
Aug 6, 2014 at 15:25
Nope, I am not able to edit this file. >mewtomat@MewtoMat:~$ sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/info/format /dev/shm >[sudo] password for mewtomat: >mewtomat@MewtoMat:~$ sudo printf "1\n" > /var/lib/dpkg/info/format >bash: /var/lib/dpkg/info/format: Permission denied >mewtomat@MewtoMat:~$ sudo mv /dev/shm/format /var/lib/dpkg/info/ >mewtomat@MewtoMat:~$
– user312936
Aug 7, 2014 at 7:52
Do "sudo nano /var/lib/dpkg/info/format" and then when the editor appears, type in "1" then Enter, then press CTRL+X, then "Y" and then Enter to save your changes.
– Jeff Sereno
Aug 8, 2014 at 12:09

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