[Bug 983679] Re: Unable to do package update and upgrades

[gouri]

Had same problem today. Noticed because package upgrade notifier
displayed a sign and said something wrong prevented it to perform its
duty.

Seen commands in comment 2, ran them, they fixed the problem.

Still, corrupted package list may be the sign of a real bug. "Human
beings" using Ubuntu Linux without technical knowledge nor the help of a
capable sysadmin may find themselves stuck with a broken package
manager, unable to upgrade their system or install new packages.

If anyone reads this because of facing the same problem, please consider
making a backup of /var/lib/apt/lists and attaching it to this bug. Just
applying the workaround without thinking twice (a I just did) destroys
any hope of understanding the actual problem.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/983679

Title:
  Unable to do package update and upgrades

Status in “apt” package in Ubuntu:
  Expired

Bug description:
  My OS is :  
  Description:	Ubuntu precise (development branch)
  Release:	12.04

  
  getting this error: 

  Reading package lists... Error!
  E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
  E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_precise-security_multiverse_binary-amd64_Packages
  E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

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