[ubuntu-za] dpkg returned an error code (1)

[David Robert Lewis (ethnopunk)]

Hi Wez,

Thanks. I couldn't remove mxit-libpurple. Aptitude was stuck in a 
puzzle.  First solution didn't work. Tried second solution. Had to 
downgrade the package then upgrade. All fine now. Would you call this a 
bug on the MixIt side? They obviously writing code in complete isolation 
from Pidgin?

DRL

wez wrote:
> Hi David.
> I guess dpkg doesn't want to overwriting the file (mxit.png) that 
> already exists for another package (mxit-libpurple). You can tell dpkg 
> to continue and overwrite anyway, but note I am note sure how this 
> will affect the mxit-libpurple package when you want to remove it.
>
> #1 remove mxit-libpurple first, install pidgin then add mxit-libpurple 
> back. This is what I would try.
>
> if that doesnt work, you could look into the next step, dont just do 
> it, without knowing what it will do:
>
> #2 you *could* force apt-get to overwrite that file, but as the man 
> page says <http://linux.die.net/man/8/apt-get>:
>
> *--force-yes*
>     Force yes; This is a dangerous option that will cause apt to
>     continue without prompting if it is doing something potentially
>     harmful. It should not be used except in very special situations.
>     Using force-yes can potentially destroy your system! Configuration
>     Item: APT::Get::force-yes. 
>
>
> Normally you wouldn't want to just overwrite files, which is why dpkg 
> stops, this option would force the overwrite, if you're sure thats 
> what you want then you can specify that option.
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 2:03 PM, David Robert Lewis (ethnopunk) 
> <ethnopunk at telkomsa.net <mailto:ethnopunk at telkomsa.net>> wrote:
>
>     Not sure why dpkg can't solve this on its own? Any ideas?
>
>     (Reading database ... 255666 files and directories currently
>     installed.)
>     Preparing to replace pidgin-data 1:2.6.3-1ubuntu1~pidgin1.9.10 (using
>     .../pidgin-data_1%3a2.6.4-1ubuntu3~pidgin1.9.10_all.deb) ...
>     Unpacking replacement pidgin-data ...
>     dpkg: error processing
>     /var/cache/apt/archives/pidgin-data_1%3a2.6.4-1ubuntu3~pidgin1.9.10_all.deb
>     (--unpack):
>      trying to overwrite
>     '/usr/share/pixmaps/pidgin/protocols/16/mxit.png',
>     which is also in package mxit-libpurple 0:2.2.0-1
>     dpkg-deb: subprocess paste killed by signal (Broken pipe)
>     Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme ...
>     Errors were encountered while processing:
>      /var/cache/apt/archives/pidgin-data_1%3a2.6.4-1ubuntu3~pidgin1.9.10_all.deb
>     E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
>
>
>     -DRL
>
>
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