package kdelibs4c2a None [modified: /var/lib/dpkg/info/kdelibs4c2a.list] failed to install/upgrade: failed in buffer_write(fd) (10, ret=-1): backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/libkhtml.so.4.2.0'

[Lee]

Binary package hint: kdelibs

unfortunately i cannot remember the exact software package as i was installing several applications simultaneously. all i can remember is that it was some sort of accountancy/money management software. i am using ubuntu 8.10 intrepid ibex. i expected the packages to be downloaded and installed normally but instead towards the end one application failed to install and the system reported a crash report instead, the the 'add/remove' window would not close when i attemptempted a retry although vlc media player was still working fine, so the system did not crash entirely

upon restarting my system i now cannot use add/remove programs or update manager as they both report the same error since this bug occured; that being

E:dpkg was interrupted, you must run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem
E:_cache->open()failed, please report.

From here i just dont know where to go or what to do! i tried running 'dpkg --configure -a' in terminal and all i get in return is requested operation requires supervisor privilege.

ProblemType: Package
Architecture: i386
Dependencies:

DistroRelease: Ubuntu 8.10
ErrorMessage: failed in buffer_write(fd) (10, ret=-1): backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/libkhtml.so.4.2.0'
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: kdelibs4c2a None [modified: /var/lib/dpkg/info/kdelibs4c2a.list]
SourcePackage: kdelibs
Title: package kdelibs4c2a None [modified: /var/lib/dpkg/info/kdelibs4c2a.list] failed to install/upgrade: failed in buffer_write(fd) (10, ret=-1): backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/libkhtml.so.4.2.0'
Uname: Linux 2.6.27-11-generic i686

[Jonathan Thomas (echidnaman)]

According to the log you ran out of disk space. :)

[Lee (mentalistbrummie)]

thanks johnathan thomas for your very prompt reply! that means more to me then the system generated responce! i checked my partions and i hae a half gb swap 4gb ubuntu and 35gb freespcace. on top of this there is 80gb for vista 12gb resore partion and 165gb windows free space. so i obviously have space enough i just need to give linux more, but does anyone know what is a recomended amount of space for linux? i have no idea im soooo desperate to ditch microsoft that i really want my linux to work! i am a newbie but desperate to convert so i am very sorry if i seem unclear or am not followingany posting rules!

one again thank a lot to johnathan thomas for clarifying my issue, at least now i can work towards a solution!

[Jonathan Thomas (echidnaman)]

I'd recommend 7 or 8 gigs for Linux. That should pretty much be all you'll ever need.

[Lee (mentalistbrummie)]

Thanks for your help johnathan again. I have increased ubuntu partion to 9.5GB. however i am still getting the following problem

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

when i run dpkg --configure -a in terminal all i get is

dpkg: requested operation requires superuser privilege

What is this and why has it happened?

Any help would greatly be apprieciated, not being able to download and update software and update is very anoying, especially when update manager finds them but keeps reporting the same error!!!!! :-(

[Jonathan Thomas (echidnaman)]

You'd need to put sudo in front of that command:
sudo dpkg --configure -a

[Lee (mentalistbrummie)]

Thanks Johnathan! Well having taken your advice , which has been extremely valuable, i unhelpfully get this

dpkg: parse error, in file `/var/lib/dpkg/updates/0224' near line 1:
 newline in field name `#padding'

unfortunately this means little to me but upon inspecting the file all there is is the words padding repeated for about 1400 times!!!!!

Life!!!!! there must be a way to solve this!!!!

Keep the replies coming i really appreciate your help and for taking the time out!!!!

[Lee (mentalistbrummie)]

i have just encountered a further prob i also cannot download packages via terminal!!! i tried to install homebank accounting software and this was what i got

E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (13 Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root?

short of reinstalling ubuntu i just dont know what to do!
sorry to bore people with my problem only it is becoming problematic now, not to mention i am constantly getting updates found popping up but can never install them!

Can someone please help?