[ubuntu-za] What went wrong?

[Jan Greeff]

Many thanks for your assistance Adrianna. Lesson learnt.

Fortunately I can access all my old folders via the new installation.

Virtualbox was not the culprit directly, but trying to get it to work 
led to the problem. I'm through trying to run Windows apps on Ubuntu by 
any means, it has just been an ongoing time gobbler and frustration for 
years and there is always something that just does not work or that 
messes everything up.


On 04/08/2013 15:30, Adrianna Pińska wrote:
> Please CC the mailing list, so that everyone can see. I think I know
> exactly what went wrong -- scroll down for the exciting conclusion.
>
> On 4 August 2013 15:17, Jan Greeff <jan at verslank.net> wrote:
>> Here's the log. Seems just about everything was removed.
>>
>> Start-Date: 2013-08-03  19:52:57
>> Commandline: apt-get purge virtualbox 4.2
>> Purge: libfolks-telepathy25:i386 (0.6.8-2), geoclue:i386 (0.12.0-1ubuntu12),
>> unity:i386 (5.20.0-0ubuntu2), gir1.2-totem-1.0:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu21.1),
>> v4l2ucp:i386 (2.0.2-4), libcanberra-gtk-module:i386 (0.28-3ubuntu3),
>> unity-2d:i386 (5.14.0-0ubuntu1), wine1.6-i386:i386 (1.6-0ubuntu1~ppa1),
>> hplip-gui:i386 (3.12.2-1ubuntu3.1), gir1.2-gconf-2.0:i386 (3.2.5-0ubuntu2),
>> libcompizconfig0:i386 (0.9.7.0~bzr428-0ubuntu6), update-manager:i386
>> (0.156.14.11), libsword9:i386 (1.6.2+dfsg-3), gnome-media:i386
>> (3.4.0-0ubuntu3.1), metacity:i386 (2.34.1-1ubuntu11), libraptor2-0:i386
>> (2.0.6-1ubuntu0.1), unity-2d-panel:i386 (5.14.0-0ubuntu1), aisleriot:i386
>> (3.2.3.2-0ubuntu1), libqtgconf1:i386 (0.1-0ubuntu5),
>> libgnome-media-profiles-3.0-0:i386 (3.0.0-1), libdc1394-22:i386 (2.2.0-2),
>> python-aptdaemon.gtk3widgets:i386 (0.43+bzr805-0ubuntu9),
>> python-aptdaemon.pkcompat:i386 (0.43+bzr805-0ubuntu9), libebook-1.2-12:i386
>> (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), brasero-cdrkit:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1),
>> gnome-settings-daemon:i386 (3.4.2-0ubuntu0.6.2), librdf0:i386 (1.0.14-1),
>> xchat-common:i386 (2.8.8-3ubuntu12), python-software-properties:i386
>> (0.82.7.3), smbclient:i386 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6), libreoffice-calc:i386
>> (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), gnome-video-effects:i386 (0.4.0-1), libcamel-1.2-29:i386
>> (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), libecal-1.2-10:i386 (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), cheese:i386
>> (3.4.1-0ubuntu2.1), ubuntu-tweak:i386 (0.8.3-1~precise1), libnm-gtk0:i386
>> (0.9.4.1-0ubuntu2.3), libfolks-eds25:i386 (0.6.8-2), wine1.5:i386
>> (1.6-0ubuntu1~ppa1), wine1.6:i386 (1.6-0ubuntu1~ppa1),
>> gnome-power-manager:i386 (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.1), python-aptdaemon:i386
>> (0.43+bzr805-0ubuntu9), gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu1),
>> libreoffice-gnome:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), python-pycurl:i386
>> (7.19.0-4ubuntu3), xchat:i386 (2.8.8-3ubuntu12),
>> unity-lens-applications:i386 (5.18.0-0ubuntu1), totem-plugins:i386
>> (3.0.1-0ubuntu21.1), rhythmbox:i386 (2.96-0ubuntu4.3),
>> system-config-printer-gnome:i386 (1.3.8+20120201-0ubuntu8.1),
>> bluez-cups:i386 (4.98-2ubuntu7), apt-transport-https:i386
>> (0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.12), abiword:i386 (2.9.2+svn20120213-1),
>> abiword-plugin-mathview:i386 (2.9.2+svn20120213-1), ubuntu-artwork:i386
>> (57), libunity-2d-private0:i386 (5.14.0-0ubuntu1), gnome-control-center:i386
>> (3.4.2-0ubuntu0.11), printer-driver-postscript-hp:i386 (3.12.2-1ubuntu3.1),
>> hplip:i386 (3.12.2-1ubuntu3.1), ibus-pinyin:i386 (1.4.0-1), gconf2:i386
>> (3.2.5-0ubuntu2), compizconfig-backend-gconf:i386 (0.9.5.92-0ubuntu5),
>> ubuntu-desktop:i386 (1.267.1), seahorse:i386 (3.2.2-0ubuntu2.1),
>> metacity-common:i386 (2.34.1-1ubuntu11), system-config-printer-udev:i386
>> (1.3.8+20120201-0ubuntu8.1), printer-driver-gutenprint:i386
>> (5.2.8~pre1-0ubuntu2.1), empathy:i386 (3.4.2.3-0ubuntu1),
>> unity-2d-shell:i386 (5.14.0-0ubuntu1), libreoffice-emailmerge:i386
>> (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), libslv2-9:i386 (0.6.6+dfsg1-1), libtotem-plparser17:i386
>> (3.4.1-1), unity-services:i386 (5.20.0-0ubuntu2), light-themes:i386
>> (0.1.9.1-0ubuntu1.2), python-gconf:i386 (2.28.1+dfsg-1),
>> libreoffice-core:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), libtotem0:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu21.1),
>> update-notifier:i386 (0.119ubuntu8.6), gstreamer0.10-gconf:i386
>> (0.10.31-1ubuntu1.2), librasqal3:i386 (0.9.28-1),
>> ubuntuone-client-gnome:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu1), virtualbox-4.2:i386
>> (4.2.16-86992~Ubuntu~precise), libabiword-2.9:i386 (2.9.2+svn20120213-1),
>> libcurl3-gnutls:i386 (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.2), gnome-terminal:i386
>> (3.4.1.1-0ubuntu1), gnome-user-share:i386 (3.0.2-0ubuntu1),
>> libreoffice-writer:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), libsmbclient:i386
>> (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6), nautilus-sendto-empathy:i386 (3.4.2.3-0ubuntu1),
>> libreoffice-draw:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), network-manager-gnome:i386
>> (0.9.4.1-0ubuntu2.3), unity-scope-musicstores:i386 (5.12.0-0ubuntu2),
>> libfolks25:i386 (0.6.8-2), libcanberra-gtk3-module:i386 (0.28-3ubuntu3),
>> jockey-common:i386 (0.9.7-0ubuntu7.7), rhythmbox-mozilla:i386
>> (2.96-0ubuntu4.3), software-center:i386 (5.2.9), libgconf2-4:i386
>> (3.2.5-0ubuntu2), rhythmbox-plugin-zeitgeist:i386 (2.96-0ubuntu4.3),
>> xiphos:i386 (3.1.5+dfsg-1), libcmis-0.2-0:i386 (0.1.0-1),
>> libreoffice-base-core:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), samba-common-bin:i386
>> (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6), libgnome2-common:i386 (2.32.1-2ubuntu1.1),
>> libedataserverui-3.0-1:i386 (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), compiz-plugins-main:i386
>> (0.9.7.0~bzr19-0ubuntu10.1), rhythmbox-plugin-cdrecorder:i386
>> (2.96-0ubuntu4.3), gconf-service:i386 (3.2.5-0ubuntu2), libgdata13:i386
>> (0.12.0-1), libubuntuoneui-3.0-1:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu1),
>> librhythmbox-core5:i386 (2.96-0ubuntu4.3),
>> compizconfig-settings-manager:i386 (0.9.5.92-0ubuntu3),
>> libreoffice-help-en-us:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), vlc-nox:i386
>> (2.0.8-0ubuntu0.12.04.1), landscape-client-ui-install:i386
>> (12.05-0ubuntu1.12.04), libcurl3:i386 (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.2),
>> python-compizconfig:i386 (0.9.5.94-0ubuntu4),
>> compiz-plugins-main-default:i386 (0.9.7.0~bzr19-0ubuntu10.1),
>> geoclue-ubuntu-geoip:i386 (0.0.2-0ubuntu6.3), python-uno:i386
>> (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), libpam-winbind:i386 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6),
>> libreoffice-style-human:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), gconf-service-backend:i386
>> (3.2.5-0ubuntu2), sessioninstaller:i386 (0.20+bzr128-0ubuntu1.2),
>> libedata-cal-1.2-13:i386 (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), abiword-plugin-grammar:i386
>> (2.9.2+svn20120213-1), gnome-session-bin:i386 (3.2.1-0ubuntu8),
>> libgweather-common:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1), python-smbc:i386
>> (1.0.13-0ubuntu1), mythes-en-us:i386 (3.3.0-2ubuntu3),
>> flashplugin-installer:i386 (11.2.202.297ubuntu0.12.04.1), aptdaemon:i386
>> (0.43+bzr805-0ubuntu9), system-config-printer-common:i386
>> (1.3.8+20120201-0ubuntu8.1), djvulibre-bin:i386 (3.5.24-9),
>> unity-common:i386 (5.20.0-0ubuntu2), libedata-book-1.2-11:i386
>> (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), cups:i386 (1.5.3-0ubuntu8), curl:i386
>> (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.2), pdf2djvu:i386 (0.7.11-1build1), unity-2d-spread:i386
>> (5.14.0-0ubuntu1), apturl:i386 (0.5.1ubuntu3), wine:i386
>> (1.6-0ubuntu1~ppa1), libreoffice-impress:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4),
>> indicator-datetime:i386 (0.3.94-0ubuntu2), nautilus-share:i386
>> (0.7.3-1ubuntu2), gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad:i386 (0.10.22.3-2ubuntu2.2),
>> printer-driver-hpcups:i386 (3.12.2-1ubuntu3.1), evolution-data-server:i386
>> (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), rhythmbox-plugins:i386 (2.96-0ubuntu4.3),
>> libunity-core-5.0-5:i386 (5.20.0-0ubuntu2), xul-ext-ubufox:i386
>> (2.6-0ubuntu0.12.04.1), software-properties-gtk:i386 (0.82.7.3),
>> libbrasero-media3-1:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1), rhythmbox-ubuntuone:i386
>> (3.0.0-0ubuntu1), libquvi7:i386 (0.4.0-1), gir1.2-rb-3.0:i386
>> (2.96-0ubuntu4.3), libebackend-1.2-1:i386 (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1),
>> language-selector-gnome:i386 (0.79.3), libedataserver-1.2-15:i386
>> (3.2.3-0ubuntu7.1), libldap-2.4-2:i386 (2.4.28-1.1ubuntu4.3), gksu:i386
>> (2.0.2-6ubuntu1), unity-greeter:i386 (0.2.9-0ubuntu1.2), whoopsie:i386
>> (0.1.32), ibus:i386 (1.4.1-3ubuntu1), libreoffice-math:i386
>> (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), pulseaudio-module-gconf:i386 (1.1-0ubuntu15.3),
>> ibus-table:i386 (1.3.9.20110827-1ubuntu1), gnome-terminal-data:i386
>> (3.4.1.1-0ubuntu1), libgksu2-0:i386 (2.0.13~pre1-5ubuntu2), jockey-gtk:i386
>> (0.9.7-0ubuntu7.7), libgweather-3-0:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1),
>> indicator-session:i386 (0.3.96-0ubuntu1), ubuntuone-installer:i386
>> (3.0.2-0ubuntu1.1), brasero:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1.1), compiz:i386
>> (0.9.7.12-0ubuntu2), libreoffice-common:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4),
>> gvfs-backends:i386 (1.12.1-0ubuntu1.2), winbind:i386 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.6),
>> totem:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu21.1), python-cupshelpers:i386
>> (1.3.8+20120201-0ubuntu8.1), indicator-power:i386 (2.0-0ubuntu1),
>> gnome-session:i386 (3.2.1-0ubuntu8), liboauth0:i386 (0.9.4-3),
>> libcurl3-nss:i386 (7.22.0-3ubuntu4.2), gir1.2-totem-plparser-1.0:i386
>> (3.4.1-1), indicator-printers:i386 (0.1.6-0ubuntu1), totem-mozilla:i386
>> (3.0.1-0ubuntu21.1), libreoffice-style-tango:i386 (3.5.7-0ubuntu4),
>> kerneloops-daemon:i386 (0.12+git20090217-1ubuntu19), libreoffice-gtk:i386
>> (3.5.7-0ubuntu4), rhythmbox-plugin-magnatune:i386 (2.96-0ubuntu4.3),
>> compiz-gnome:i386 (0.9.7.12-0ubuntu2), transmission-gtk:i386
>> (2.51-0ubuntu1.3), ocrodjvu:i386 (0.7.7-1), libmetacity-private0:i386
>> (2.34.1-1ubuntu11)
>> End-Date: 2013-08-03  19:57:08
> OK, so here is what you typed:
>
>      apt-get purge virtualbox 4.2
>
> You didn't purge virtualbox-4.2; you purged virtualbox and then "4.2".
> I just tried doing something similar on my machine, and it looks like
> 4.2 is treated like a pattern which matches all packages with 4.2 in
> the name. So you uninstalled all those packages, and then all packages
> which depended on them were automatically uninstalled, and that
> probably ended up being most of your system.
>
> The moral of the story: read what apt is telling you it's going to
> uninstall before you confirm. :/
>
> I think this system should be fixable if you can somehow boot into it
> and reinstall all those packages. I can give you a command for
> outputting a list of package names to pass into apt in the correct
> format, assuming the first part is possible, but I'm not sure if it
> is. It may be easier just to reinstall, if you can rescue all your
> data.
>
> Anyway, your problem has nothing to do with Virtualbox specifically --
> it was just a really unfortunate typo.
>