Missing sources files

[bswent]

I found a few similar threads to my issue, but the solutions didn't work. My sources are missing - completely gone. This happened after uninstalling a handful of programs through the software manager. The software manager will not open now, neither will the software sources program (so I can't restore default). The update icon doesn't show any updates at all and claims I am all up to date (it previously listed several potential updates). I also previously had an icon showing if I was using my nvidia or intel onboard video, this is now replaced with a red icon containing a speech bubble and a red X. I am using Linux Mint 18.3 x64, Unfortunately I also still have a few days left for finals at the university. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

inxi -r says "no repo data detected"

I tried sudo apt-get update and got the following:

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Reading package lists... Done
W: Unable to read /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/ - DirectoryExists (2: No such file or directory)
W: Unable to read /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ - DirectoryExists (2: No such file or directory)
W: Unable to read /etc/apt/sources.list - RealFileExists (2: No such file or directory)

Something that is also interesting: I had been using Mint 17.3 for quite awhile and had a similar thing occur on that install after uninstalling software (sources gone after uninstalling a few programs. That was when I decided to just install 18 instead but I now have the same problem.

[Pjotr]

Try this:

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gksudo xed /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list

Replace the entire contents of that file (if there are any) by this:

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deb http://packages.linuxmint.com sylvia main upstream import backport 

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ xenial-security main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ xenial partner

Save the text file, close Xed and then do this:

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sudo apt-get update

If the first step fails because there's no existing folder named /etc/apt/sources.list.d, do this:

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sudo mkdir -v /etc/apt

Then this:

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sudo mkdir -v /etc/apt/sources.list.d

Then start again with the first step.

Final note: your system appears to be severely damaged, in a most unusual way. After your exams I'd re-install Mint 18.3. And then be very careful with what you do to your system....

[bswent]

Thank you so much for replying, Pjotr. I am wondering if the new software manager has an issue or something (although my old mint 17.3 had the same issue with missing sources). I am really not sure what to make of it. Is there a safer way to uninstall software?

I looked through dpkg.log and i uninstalled playonlinux, tuxpuck, warzone2020 and freecol.

The update program is broken and warning me to switch to another mirror because APT cache is corrupted (understandable). I am now able to open the software manager and the software sources app. I can also now select my nvidia driver from the driver manager (before it would only show the intel microcode or none).

When I do sudo apt-get update, I get the standard fare and the following: (I take this to mean my authentication keys were wiped - would deleting references to this result in a fix?)

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Reading package lists... Done
W: Unable to read /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/ - DirectoryExists (2: No such file or directory)
W: GPG error: http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 40976EAF437D05B5  NO_PUBKEY 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
W: The repository 'http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security InRelease' is not signed.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: GPG error: http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 40976EAF437D05B5  NO_PUBKEY 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
W: The repository 'http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease' is not signed.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: GPG error: http://packages.linuxmint.com sylvia Release: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY A6616109451BBBF2
W: The repository 'http://packages.linuxmint.com sylvia Release' is not signed.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: GPG error: http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 40976EAF437D05B5  NO_PUBKEY 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
W: The repository 'http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease' is not signed.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: GPG error: http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 40976EAF437D05B5  NO_PUBKEY 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
W: The repository 'http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates InRelease' is not signed.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: GPG error: http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-backports InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 40976EAF437D05B5  NO_PUBKEY 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
W: The repository 'http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-backports InRelease' is not signed.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.

thank you again, much appreciated

[Pjotr]

You can now launch Software Sources. Does it help when you press the "Reset to defaults" button (first tab, down below)?

[wario84]

I have exactly the same problem, I don't know how to solve it.