update/package manager don't open

[Dirk Bins]

unable to open package manager. updating impossible.got this message in explanation of the error.
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/gb.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_jaunty-updates_main_binary-i386_Packages
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

Can anbody suggest a solution?

[Dirk Bins (dirkbins)]

Thanks for your message. Excuse my ignorance, please, but what now?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ajsquared" <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 7:11 PM
Subject: [Bug 392994] Re: update/package manager don't open

** Package changed: ubuntu => synaptic (Ubuntu)

--
update/package manager don't open
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/392994
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of the bug.

Status in “synaptic” package in Ubuntu: New

Bug description:
unable to open package manager. updating impossible.got this message in
explanation of the error.
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList
/var/lib/apt/lists/gb.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_jaunty-updates_main_binary-i386_Packages
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

Can anbody suggest a solution?

[Nitesh Mistry (mistrynitesh)]

Hi!

Thank you filing the bug report.

However please consider providing the following details:
1. The version of Ubuntu you are using (9.10 / 9.01 / 8.10 / 8.04)
2. The version of package manager (synaptic) you are using
3. Steps taken to open the package manager (command-line/menu-list/using Alt+F2/some-other-way)
4. On clicking which button/giving which command produced the error mentioned in your report?
5. Are you able to use apt-get to perform the package management?

[fatski (paul-karnowski)]

This also affects me, Ubuntu Jaunty, cannot run any package manager, Synaptic, Update manager, apt-get, or aptitude from the menu or the terminal. I get the error mentioned in the original bug report. All versions are as supplied in the repositories.