Resolved: Mint Debian 32 Update Manager problem

[RevMike]

I have downloaded the latest Mint Debian 32 update files via Update Manager.
When I click Install Updates I get this error msg. "Could not apply changes. Fix broken packages first".
What do I have to do to fix this problem please?
Mike

[dawgdoc]

After you close the Update Manager window there are two methods to fix broken packages:

1) Open Synaptic (Package Manager), select the <Edit> menu item and then select the <Fix Broken Packages> item.
2) Open a terminal and run these two commands

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sudo apt-get install -f
sudo apt-get update

This should fix it. It should not require a reboot but you can always do that also.

[RevMike]

dawdoc. Have used method 1.
and got result: 'successfully fixed dependencies' with further info:
30144 packages listed, 1487 installed, 0 broken, 0 to install/upgrade, 0 to remove.'
However I still get "Could not apply changes. Fix broken packages first" even after rebooting.
What now please?
Mike

[dawgdoc]

Since method 1 did not work, I would suggest trying method two. The first of the commands is to check for any broken packages and then fix them by reinstalling. The second command just tells you system to check and see what the current list of available packages is.

Have you seen an error message saying what the broken package is?

[rivenathos]

You probably need to un-check the package "libva1" and keep it from updating. Everything else should fall into place for updating properly.

[dawgdoc]

Still issues with the VLC dependencies Rivenathos?

[rivenathos]

Yep, for me anyway. I tried it again today. Everything updated except the libva1 package. I am not downgrading to Stable or upgrading to Unstable, so I am waiting for the fix for Testing. These are the things that make Testing so much fun.

[dawgdoc]

I am not downgrading to Stable or upgrading to Unstable, so I am waiting for the fix for Testing. These are the things that make Testing so much fun.

Same approach I am taking. It's not like we don't have another movie/media player installed. (Too many choices - complaint )

[rivenathos]

True. I actually prefer Totem and the gstreamer codecs. In my Debian 6 GNOME installs, I do not bother with VLC. I did wonder why VLC was added to LMDE. It seemed like an odd combination.

[RevMike]

Thanks folks for your replies.
As I couldn't find any 'problem' file, in Update Manager I tried Clearing all update files and just selecting the files showing in the window and Installing. This worked. So I repeated the process until all files were updated. Boring but effective for a Newbie.
I guess the problem is now being fixed at source which very encouraging!!
Thanks everyone for your input.
Mike

[rivenathos]

Well, when using Testing, sometimes the method of installing individually or in small groups is a safe plan of action.

[Grum]

I had the same problem yesterday with Mint XFCE.

I did:

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sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get upgrade

and then reran Update Manager and it worked.

The autoremove reported that it didn't remove anything; I include it just in case it silently fixed something along the way.

[experimenter]

The problem occurs because the package gnome-core(meta-package) tries install various packages including evolution, xchat etc which may conflict with linux mint version (specially Xchat). A simple solution is open update manager preferences and add gnome-core to ignored packages. Hit Refresh to reload updates from repositories and proceed with updates as usual.

Note: Just in case it doesn't work, try removing xchat and xchat common.