apt-file can't find Contents on /cdrom

[Charles Curley]

Binary package hint: apt-file

I have a fresh install of Gutsy on my laptop. I have the Gutsy Alternate install CD called out in my sources.list:

deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016.1)]/ gutsy main restricted

When I run other apt-* utilities, I see them calling for the CD, and they have no problem. However, apt-file does this:

root@dragon:~# apt-file update
Put CDROM labeled [Ubuntu_7.10__Gutsy_Gibbon__-_Release_i386_(20071016.1)] in the cdrom device
read: 1: arg count
mount: block device /dev/scd0 is write-protected, mounting read-only
cp: cannot stat `/cdrom/dists/gutsy/Contents-i386.gz': No such file or directory
root@dragon:~#

This may be because there is no such file on the disk:

root@dragon:~# find /cdrom/* -iname Contents-i386.gz
root@dragon:~# find /cdrom/* -iname Contents\*
root@dragon:~#

I have no idea whether this is a fatal error or something I can ignore. If this is normal, please give a less cryptic error message.

Thank you.

[Daniel T Chen (crimsun)]

Is this symptom still reproducible in 8.10?

[Charles Curley (charlescurley)]

Yes. On a different computer...

First thing I had to do is add the CD-ROM, this time the normal install rather than the Alternate.

root@dzur:/crc/back# apt-cdrom add
Using CD-ROM mount point /cdrom/
Unmounting CD-ROM
Waiting for disc...
Please insert a Disc in the drive and press enter
Mounting CD-ROM...
Identifying.. [ac20a1ac35626cb607897968f3dd2440-2]
Scanning disc for index files..
Found 2 package indexes, 0 source indexes, 0 translation indexes and 1 signatures
Found label 'Ubuntu 8.10 _Intrepid Ibex_ - Release i386 (20081029.5)'
This disc is called:
'Ubuntu 8.10 _Intrepid Ibex_ - Release i386 (20081029.5)'
Copying package lists...gpgv: Signature made Wed 29 Oct 2008 05:24:11 PM MDT using DSA key ID FBB75451
gpgv: Good signature from "Ubuntu CD Image Automatic Signing Key <email address hidden>"
Reading Package Indexes... Done
Writing new source list
Source list entries for this disc are:
deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 8.10 _Intrepid Ibex_ - Release i386 (20081029.5)]/ intrepid main restricted
Unmounting CD-ROM...
Repeat this process for the rest of the CDs in your set.
W: Skipping non-exisiting file /cdrom/dists/intrepid/main/binary-i386/Packages
W: Skipping non-exisiting file /cdrom/dists/intrepid/restricted/binary-i386/Packages
root@dzur:/crc/back# apt-file update
Put CDROM labeled [Ubuntu_8.10__Intrepid_Ibex__-_Release_i386_(20081029.5)] in the cdrom device
read: 1: arg count
cp: cannot stat `/cdrom/dists/intrepid/Contents-i386.gz': No such file or directory
Can't get http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/dists/intrepid/Contents-i386.gz
root@dzur:/crc/back# mount /dev/scd0
root@dzur:/crc/back# ls /cdrom/
autorun.inf dists isolinux pics preseed ubuntu wubi.exe
casper install md5sum.txt pool README.diskdefines umenu.exe
root@dzur:/crc/back# find /cdrom/* -iname Contents-i386.gz
root@dzur:/crc/back# find /cdrom/* -iname Contents\*
root@dzur:/crc/back#

Is this perhaps related to the fact that I use a proxy?

root@dzur:/crc/back# cat /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/02proxy
Acquire::http { Proxy "http://192.168.1.30:3142"; };
root@dzur:/crc/back#

[Ralph Janke (txwikinger)]

Is this symptom still reproducible in 9,04 and the development version karmic?

[Mirage42 (mirage-35)]

A simple fix would just be to add the missing file, no? That would fix it instead of asking if it works in 9.04 and if it still reproduce will you ask if it reproduces again in 9.10?

[Charles Curley (charlescurley)]

I agree with Mirage42 above, testing on 9.04 is moot. I have 9.10 Alpha 5, as updated.

Conclusions:

* The file Contents-i386.gz is still missing from the CD-ROM. I just pulled in and checked the Beta CD-ROM; it is missing there as well.

* There does not appear to be a work-around to fake the missing file, perhaps by generating the data that should be in it.

Test process:

An "apt-file update" on a new installation of apt-file (prior to adding the CD-ROM) gets me the following:

root@test2kkalpha5:~# apt-file update
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.gz
Downloading Index http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.gz
Downloading Index http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://mirrors.xmission.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
root@test2kkalpha5:~#

Apparently apt-file is capable of working around the missing Index, and in any case that problem is not at issue here.

I then added the CD-ROM:

root@test2kkalpha5:~# apt-cdrom add
Using CD-ROM mount point /cdrom/
Unmounting CD-ROM
Waiting for disc...
Please insert a Disc in the drive and press enter
Mounting CD-ROM...
Identifying.. [079276bebf9ed1e0b82897bd213817c8-2]
Scanning disc for index files..
Found 2 package indexes, 0 source indexes, 0 translation indexes and 1 signatures
This disc is called:
'Ubuntu 9.10 _Karmic Koala_ - Alpha i386 (20090902.1)'
Copying package lists...gpgv: Signature made Wed 02 Sep 2009 12:03:07 PM MDT using DSA key ID FBB75451
gpgv: Good signature from "Ubuntu CD Image Automatic Signing Key <email address hidden>"
Reading Package Indexes... Done
Writing new source list
Source list entries for this disc are:
deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 9.10 _Karmic Koala_ - Alpha i386 (20090902.1)]/ karmic main restricted
Unmounting CD-RO...

[Charles Curley (charlescurley)]

I pulled in ubuntu-9.10-rc-server-i386.iso, and built a virtual machine using that. I set up the openssh server only. I did not use an apt-cache installation. Using the supplied sources.list, I installed apt-file.

root@apt-file:~# apt-file --version
apt-file version 2.2.2
(c) 2002 Sebastien J. Gross <email address hidden>

root@apt-file:~#

root@apt-file:/var/log# ll /var/cache/apt/archives/apt-file_2.2.2_all.deb
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 26610 2009-04-28 17:05 /var/cache/apt/archives/apt-file_2.2.2_all.deb
root@apt-file:/var/log#

Testing per my original entry, I still don't see the Contents file on the CD-ROM:

root@apt-file:~# find /cdrom/* -iname Contents-i386.gz
root@apt-file:~#

Updating apt-file produced:

root@apt-file:~# apt-file update
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.gz
Downloading Index http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-updates/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading complete file http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.gz
Downloading Index http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
Downloading Index http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic-security/Contents-i386.gz
File is up-to-date.
root@apt-file:~#

I then mounted the CD-ROM and enabled it by uncommenting it in sources.list. I then updated again.

root@apt-file:~# apt-file update
Put CDROM labeled [Ubuntu-Server_9.10__Karmic_Koala__-_Release_Candidate_i386_(20091020.3)] in the cdrom device
read: 1: arg count
mount: block device /dev/sr0 is write-protected, mounting read-only
mount: /dev/sr0 already mounted or /media/cdrom0 busy
mount: according to mtab, /dev/sr0 is already mounted on /media/cdrom0
cp: cannot stat `/cdrom/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.gz': No such file or directory
Downloading Index http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/Contents-i386.diff/Index:
No Index available.
Downloading complete file http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/karmic/...

[rusivi2 (rusivi2-deactivatedaccount)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. The package your reporting is updated and the issue should be reproducible with the live environment of the Desktop CD development release - Maverick Meerkat. It would help us greatly if you could test with it so we can work on getting it fixed in the next release of Ubuntu. You can find more about the development release at http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/. Thanks again and we appreciate your help.

[Charles Curley (charlescurley)]

I filed this bug three years ago. You are asking me to test *again*? I have run tests three times already, with detailed results in all three cases. If I rest again, are you actually going to do something about it, or will I again waste my time?

I have no problem with filing bugs, and testing. I understand the necessity of testing on newer releases. But I see no point in continuing to do the same test just to have it ignored again.

Also, I see nothing in the above request indicating that there is any change in the software. I see that apt-file on Lucid is up to 2.3.3. Is there any reason to believe this problem has changed?

[rusivi2 (rusivi2-deactivatedaccount)]

Charles Curley, thank you for responding so quickly and working to help make Ubuntu better. If had the knowledge and skill I would in a heartbeat! However, this is a community effort and I felt comfortable asking if this is an issue without fear of ridicule. As well, to maintain a respectful atmosphere, please follow the code of conduct - http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct/ . Bug reports are handled by humans, the majority of whom are volunteers (including myself), so please bear this in mind.

[Charles Curley (charlescurley)]

rusivi1, sorry if I came off too sharply. Please don't take anything I said personally. My frustration was aimed at the whole Ubuntu bug process in general, and not you. As you say, most of us are volunteers here.

Anyway, here's a detailed report of my test today. Several problems I have not seen before have appeared. See the last paragraph for my conclusions and advice.

I built a virtual machine on Lucid and installed the server installation of the latest Meerkat, ubuntu-10.10-beta-server-i386.iso, with no services other than openssh server. I then did an "apt-get update" and "apt-get dist-upgrade", and rebooted to kernel 2.6.35-22.

That done, I installed apt-file and its dependencies, followed by "apt-file update".

root@meerkat:~# apt-file --version
apt-file version 2.4.0
(c) 2002 Sebastien J. Gross <email address hidden>

root@meerkat:~# ll /var/cache/apt/archives/apt-file_2.4.0_all.deb
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 31500 2010-05-27 05:05 /var/cache/apt/archives/apt-file_2.4.0_all.deb
root@meerkat:~# apt-cdrom add
Using CD-ROM mount point /media/apt/
Identifying.. [c9c6ebb1bcf1afc5dd21beb50e8f9b09-2]
Scanning disc for index files..
Found 2 package indexes, 0 source indexes, 0 translation indexes and 1 signatures
This disc is called:
'Ubuntu-Server 10.10 _Maverick Meerkat_ - Alpha i386 (20100831)'
Copying package lists...gpgv: Signature made Mon 30 Aug 2010 11:33:23 PM MDT using DSA key ID FBB75451
gpgv: Good signature from "Ubuntu CD Image Automatic Signing Key <email address hidden>"
Reading Package Indexes... Done
Writing new source list
Source list entries for this disc are:
deb cdrom:[Ubuntu-Server 10.10 _Maverick Meerkat_ - Alpha i386 (20100831)]/ maverick main restricted
Repeat this process for the rest of the CDs in your set.
W: Skipping nonexistent file /media/apt/dists/maverick/main/binary-i386/Packages
W: Skipping nonexistent file /media/apt/dists/maverick/main/debian-installer/binary-i386/Packages
W: Skipping nonexistent file /media/apt/dists/maverick/restricted/binary-i386/Packages
W: Skipping nonexistent file /media/apt/dists/maverick/restricted/debian-installer/binary-i386/Packages
root@meerkat:~#

The results lead me to wonder if I shouldn't try the desktop, so deleted the server CD. I hauled that in (ubuntu-10.10-beta-desktop-i386.iso) and added that:

root@meerkat:~# apt-cdrom add
Using CD-ROM mount point /media/apt/
Identifying.. [cbc25b86cb1795b180f5ae0235ea23e9-2]
Scanning disc for index files..
Found 2 package indexes, 0 source indexes, 0 translation indexes and 1 signatures
Found label 'Ubuntu 10.10 _Maverick Meerkat_ - Beta i386 (20100901.1)'
This disc is called:
'Ubuntu 10.10 _Maverick Meerkat_ - Beta i386 (20100901.1)'
Copying package lists...gpgv: Signature made Wed 01 Sep 2010 08:30:42 AM MDT using DSA key ID FBB75451
gpgv: Good signature from "Ubuntu CD Image Automatic Signing Key <email address hidden>"
Reading Package Indexes... Done
Writing new source list
Source list entries for this disc are:
deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 10.10 _Maverick Meerkat_ - Beta i386 (20100901.1)]/ maverick main restricted
Repeat this process for the rest of the CDs in your set.
W: Skipping nonexistent file /media/apt/dists/maverick/main/binary-i386/Packag...

[era (era)]

Charles: Thanks for your very detailed and specific update!

rusivi1: please read http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/ucgi/~cjwatson/blosxom/2009/03/02

> My biggest single annoyance with bug triage is people coming around
> and asking if bugs are still valid when they haven't put any effort into
> reproducing them themselves. This annoys bug submitters too; every
> so often somebody replies and says "didn't you even bother to
> check?". This gives a very bad impression of us as a project -
> wouldn't it be better if we looked as if we knew what we were talking
> about? There is a good reason to do this kind of check, of course:
> random undiagnosed crash reports and the like may well go away
> due to related changes, and it is occasionally worth checking. But if
> the bug is already well-understood and/or well-described, you
> should just go and check whether it's still there rather than asking.