Recommended package broken, won't install: libqt5core5a_5.5.1+dfsg-16ubuntu7.1_amd64.deb

[Bernd Wechner]

Linux Mint 18.

The package libqt5core5a_5.5.1+dfsg-16ubuntu7.1_amd64.deb is recommended for install by the update manager. Priority 3.

But it won't install, failing with:

E: /var/cache/apt/archives/libqt5core5a_5.5.1+dfsg-16ubuntu7.1_amd64.deb: subprocess dpkg-deb --fsys-tarfile returned error exit status 2

Clearly something is wrong (not least the vague nature of the error, that simply suggests a tar file unpack returned with error 2, and I've not looked up what that might mean.

Could be the break is with QT, with Ubuntu, with what was uploaded to repositories, or wherever, but MINT should certainly not be recommending the package for update if it's broken.

[Bernd Wechner (thumbone)]

In case it makes any difference the Mint 18 machine in question reports:

$ inxi -F
System: Host: cyclops Kernel: 4.4.0-34-generic x86_64 (64 bit) Console: tty 1 Distro: Linux Mint 18 Sarah
Machine: Mobo: Intel model: D54250WYK v: H13922-305
           Bios: Intel v: WYLPT10H.86A.0042.2016.0704.1441 date: 07/04/2016
CPU: Dual core Intel Core i5-4250U (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           clock speeds: max: 2600 MHz 1: 1287 MHz 2: 1300 MHz 3: 1300 MHz 4: 1297 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel Haswell-ULT Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.org 1.18.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           tty size: 174x37 Advanced Data: N/A out of X
Audio: Card-1 Intel 8 Series HD Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel Sound: ALSA v: k4.4.0-34-generic
           Card-2 Intel Haswell-ULT HD Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
Network: Card: Intel Ethernet Connection I218-V driver: e1000e
           IF: eno1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: b8:ae:ed:72:f8:8d
Drives: HDD Total Size: 250.1GB (10.0% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: Samsung_SSD_840 size: 250.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 213G used: 8.1G (4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 17.07GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda3
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 29.8C mobo: 27.8C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 187 Uptime: 1 day Memory: 3811.8/15944.1MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.35