[Bug 1697547] [NEW] update-manager Could not initialize the package information

[Robert O'Brien]

Public bug reported:


Currently using 12.04 LTS and was hoping to trigger a distribution upgrade to 14.04.5 LTS so ran the 'Software Up to Date' from the GUI menu but got the error in 4 below ....
1) lsb_release -rd
Description:	Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
Release:	12.04
2) apt-cache policy update-manager
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/fr.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_precise_universe_binary-i386_Packages
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or open
3) Was expecting a prompt to upgrade to 14.04.5 LTS
4) Got the following error:
Could not initialize the package information

An unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package
information.

Please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and include
the following error message:

'E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with
MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/fr.archive.ubuntu
.com_ubuntu_dists_precise_universe_binary-i386_Packages, E:The package
lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.'

** Affects: update-manager (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1697547

Title:
  update-manager Could not initialize the package information

Status in update-manager package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  
  Currently using 12.04 LTS and was hoping to trigger a distribution upgrade to 14.04.5 LTS so ran the 'Software Up to Date' from the GUI menu but got the error in 4 below ....
  1) lsb_release -rd
  Description:	Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
  Release:	12.04
  2) apt-cache policy update-manager
  E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
  E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/fr.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_precise_universe_binary-i386_Packages
  E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or open
  3) Was expecting a prompt to upgrade to 14.04.5 LTS
  4) Got the following error:
  Could not initialize the package information

  An unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package
  information.

  Please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and
  include the following error message:

  'E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with
  MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/fr.archive.ubuntu
  .com_ubuntu_dists_precise_universe_binary-i386_Packages, E:The package
  lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.'

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