Ubuntu software center says waiting for other software managers to quit when none are open

[Rodney]

Binary package hint: software-center

Says continuously that it is waiting for other software managers to close when there are none open. Restarting does not seem to fix this problem and a run of the ps command shows no other managers open. Quite simply, it won't download any packages.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: i386
Date: Thu Oct 29 21:39:48 2009
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
Package: software-center 1.0.2
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
SourcePackage: software-center
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic i686
XsessionErrors:
 (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2482): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
 (nautilus:2470): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
 (gnome-panel:2469): Gtk-WARNING **: gtk_widget_size_allocate(): attempt to allocate widget with width -6 and height 24

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

How soon after boot-up/login did you open up the software center? Sometimes, the auto-updater (which runs at startup in the background) and takes a while to run.

I thought that Fedora did a smart thing with the yum system by separating the repository search from the actual package transaction. Maybe this could be done with the software center as well?

[Rodney (rodneyv3)]

As soon as login was completed, I attempted to install a single package,
(see result). Usually the package is downloaded nearly instantly and
installed. However, the system message appeared for quite a while as you can
see from the picture. Nearly 30 minutes passed without change.

As for Yum and Fedora, I

On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 11:12 PM, WeatherGod <email address hidden> wrote:

> How soon after boot-up/login did you open up the software center?
> Sometimes, the auto-updater (which runs at startup in the background)
> and takes a while to run.
>
> I thought that Fedora did a smart thing with the yum system by
> separating the repository search from the actual package transaction.
> Maybe this could be done with the software center as well?
>
> --
> Ubuntu software center says waiting for other software managers to quit
> when none are open
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/464020
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “software-center” package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: software-center
>
> Says continuously that it is waiting for other software managers to close
> when there are none open. Restarting does not seem to fix this problem and a
> run of the ps command shows no other managers open. Quite simply, it won't
> download any packages.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> Architecture: i386
> Date: Thu Oct 29 21:39:48 2009
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
> NonfreeKernelModules: wl
> Package: software-center 1.0.2
> PackageArchitecture: all
> ProcEnviron:
> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
> SHELL=/bin/bash
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
> SourcePackage: software-center
> Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic i686
> XsessionErrors:
> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
> assertion `src != NULL' failed
> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
> assertion `src != NULL' failed
> (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2482): GLib-CRITICAL **:
> g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
> (nautilus:2470): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion
> `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
> (gnome-panel:2469): Gtk-WARNING **: gtk_widget_size_allocate(): attempt to
> allocate widget with width -6 and height 24
>

[Rodney (rodneyv3)]

am not familiar with either.

On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 11:28 PM, Rodney Varney III <email address hidden>wrote:

> As soon as login was completed, I attempted to install a single package,
> (see result). Usually the package is downloaded nearly instantly and
> installed. However, the system message appeared for quite a while as you can
> see from the picture. Nearly 30 minutes passed without change.
>
> As for Yum and Fedora, I
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 11:12 PM, WeatherGod <email address hidden> wrote:
>
>> How soon after boot-up/login did you open up the software center?
>> Sometimes, the auto-updater (which runs at startup in the background)
>> and takes a while to run.
>>
>> I thought that Fedora did a smart thing with the yum system by
>> separating the repository search from the actual package transaction.
>> Maybe this could be done with the software center as well?
>>
>> --
>> Ubuntu software center says waiting for other software managers to quit
>> when none are open
>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/464020
>> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
>> of the bug.
>>
>> Status in “software-center” package in Ubuntu: New
>>
>> Bug description:
>> Binary package hint: software-center
>>
>> Says continuously that it is waiting for other software managers to close
>> when there are none open. Restarting does not seem to fix this problem and a
>> run of the ps command shows no other managers open. Quite simply, it won't
>> download any packages.
>>
>> ProblemType: Bug
>> Architecture: i386
>> Date: Thu Oct 29 21:39:48 2009
>> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
>> NonfreeKernelModules: wl
>> Package: software-center 1.0.2
>> PackageArchitecture: all
>> ProcEnviron:
>> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
>> SHELL=/bin/bash
>> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
>> SourcePackage: software-center
>> Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic i686
>> XsessionErrors:
>> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
>> assertion `src != NULL' failed
>> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
>> assertion `src != NULL' failed
>> (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2482): GLib-CRITICAL **:
>> g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
>> (nautilus:2470): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion
>> `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
>> (gnome-panel:2469): Gtk-WARNING **: gtk_widget_size_allocate(): attempt
>> to allocate widget with width -6 and height 24
>>
>
>

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

Don't worry about the Fedora and Yum comment, that was just me thinking out loud.

Does the problem occur after doing a reboot, but then not occur if loging into the machine that has already been on for a while?

[Rodney (rodneyv3)]

Seems to do it no matter the condition. Reboots have no affect. even after
being on for a while.

[Mark O'Shea (markjoshea)]

I had the same problem after upgrading to 9.10 from 9.04
I then tried to run synaptic package manager and it reported that I had to run the following command:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
I tried installing an application under the Ubuntu Software Center again, this time I got the following message:
"I wasn't able to locate file for the linux-image-2.6.28-16-generic package. This might mean you need to manually fix this package."
I went back into the synaptic package manager and did a complete removal of linux-image-2.6.28-16-generic which isn't the kernel version that is being used.
After that I was able to install applications using the Ubuntu Software Center.

I hope this helps.

[neven (sviben-neven)]

Thanks Mark
It works now I just do sudo dpkg --configure -a and for now it is ok

2009/11/2 Mark O'Shea <email address hidden>

> I had the same problem after upgrading to 9.10 from 9.04
> I then tried to run synaptic package manager and it reported that I had to
> run the following command:
> sudo dpkg --configure -a
> I tried installing an application under the Ubuntu Software Center again,
> this time I got the following message:
> "I wasn't able to locate file for the linux-image-2.6.28-16-generic
> package. This might mean you need to manually fix this package."
> I went back into the synaptic package manager and did a complete removal of
> linux-image-2.6.28-16-generic which isn't the kernel version that is being
> used.
> After that I was able to install applications using the Ubuntu Software
> Center.
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> --
> Ubuntu software center says waiting for other software managers to quit
> when none are open
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/464020
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “software-center” package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: software-center
>
> Says continuously that it is waiting for other software managers to close
> when there are none open. Restarting does not seem to fix this problem and a
> run of the ps command shows no other managers open. Quite simply, it won't
> download any packages.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> Architecture: i386
> Date: Thu Oct 29 21:39:48 2009
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
> NonfreeKernelModules: wl
> Package: software-center 1.0.2
> PackageArchitecture: all
> ProcEnviron:
> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
> SHELL=/bin/bash
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
> SourcePackage: software-center
> Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic i686
> XsessionErrors:
> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
> assertion `src != NULL' failed
> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
> assertion `src != NULL' failed
> (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2482): GLib-CRITICAL **:
> g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
> (nautilus:2470): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion
> `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
> (gnome-panel:2469): Gtk-WARNING **: gtk_widget_size_allocate(): attempt to
> allocate widget with width -6 and height 24
>

[neven (sviben-neven)]

I'm sorry for any inconvenience!

I noticed some new bugs

when I put linux on the Croatian language, and make right click, make new
folder does not work. In the English version works, sometimes see a folder/s
on the desktop and sometimes not .

What to do (HP NX 9030 processor Pentium 1.6 Mhz

1200Mb ram grafic card 64Mb)

Thank you,

Neven

2009/11/2 neven sviben <email address hidden>

> Thanks Mark
> It works now I just do sudo dpkg --configure -a and for now it is ok
>
> 2009/11/2 Mark O'Shea <email address hidden>
>
> I had the same problem after upgrading to 9.10 from 9.04
>> I then tried to run synaptic package manager and it reported that I had to
>> run the following command:
>> sudo dpkg --configure -a
>> I tried installing an application under the Ubuntu Software Center again,
>> this time I got the following message:
>> "I wasn't able to locate file for the linux-image-2.6.28-16-generic
>> package. This might mean you need to manually fix this package."
>> I went back into the synaptic package manager and did a complete removal
>> of linux-image-2.6.28-16-generic which isn't the kernel version that is
>> being used.
>> After that I was able to install applications using the Ubuntu Software
>> Center.
>>
>> I hope this helps.
>>
>> --
>> Ubuntu software center says waiting for other software managers to quit
>> when none are open
>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/464020
>> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
>> of the bug.
>>
>> Status in “software-center” package in Ubuntu: New
>>
>> Bug description:
>> Binary package hint: software-center
>>
>> Says continuously that it is waiting for other software managers to close
>> when there are none open. Restarting does not seem to fix this problem and a
>> run of the ps command shows no other managers open. Quite simply, it won't
>> download any packages.
>>
>> ProblemType: Bug
>> Architecture: i386
>> Date: Thu Oct 29 21:39:48 2009
>> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
>> NonfreeKernelModules: wl
>> Package: software-center 1.0.2
>> PackageArchitecture: all
>> ProcEnviron:
>> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
>> SHELL=/bin/bash
>> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
>> SourcePackage: software-center
>> Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic i686
>> XsessionErrors:
>> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
>> assertion `src != NULL' failed
>> (gnome-settings-daemon:2383): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error:
>> assertion `src != NULL' failed
>> (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2482): GLib-CRITICAL **:
>> g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
>> (nautilus:2470): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion
>> `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
>> (gnome-panel:2469): Gtk-WARNING **: gtk_widget_size_allocate(): attempt
>> to allocate widget with width -6 and height 24
>>
>
>

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

neven, I am glad that the dpkg command helped you with the immediate problem. I have no experience dealing with multi-language setups, so I suggest filing a new bug report for your latest problem.

[rbd23 (arbyd23)]

Thanks a lot... I had the same problem and now it works!!! THANKS!!

[swifty (james-irving-swift)]

I just run: sudo dpkg --configure -a

...and now it works....ty

Very annoying bug tho!

[racer13fly (rynbreaker)]

thanks for the supplied fix, works for me now, too

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

Hypergod_2, please do not change the status of a bug report without a comment justifying the need for a change.

[aaailuvu (aaailuvu)]

thanks mark ,it worked for me too

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

i tried the command in terminal but to no avail, this appears "dpkg: parse error, in file '/var/lib/dpkg/updates/0045' near line 0: newline in field name '#padding'" i'm new to linux so any help would be appreciated, i love the idea of a free operating system made for the people by the people and would like to keep using it, and without having to reinstall it, Ashbonne

[Salah Salamah (ahlasah)]

I use sudo dpkg --configure -a but the result was

             "salah@salah-desktop:~$ sudo dpkg --configure -a
              [sudo] password for salah:
              dpkg: status database area is locked by another process
              salah@salah-desktop:~$ "

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

ashbonne and Salah, please try 'sudo apt-get clean' to reset your package caches. This should allow the other commands to work, maybe.

[Tommy Stephenson (keyomeyo)]

Not doing it for me. I'm trying to install edubuntu, and i've tried everything listed here. It does not work.

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

nothing working so far for me yet :(

[Shaden (shadenphoenix)]

me either

neither fixes are working for me. cant uninstall unwanted software.

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

the cd drive on my laptop has packed up anyways so i abandoned fixing that poop (to put it politely lol) but i hope a solution is found for this bug because nothing worked for me and when i get my proper computer set up i'll want to install linux ubuntu onto that and i hope it doesn't affect that as well, any more advice or input would surely be appreciated by me and the others here that have the same problem i'm sure. thanks, ash

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

For those who are still experiencing issues, can you confirm if a process called "update-grub" is still running?

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

not sure what that is or how to check it

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

Run the command 'ps ax | grep update-grub' to see if update-grub is a running process.

[mystro2005 (chas-007007)]

I ran sudo dpkg --configure -a
and everything is running fine now.
Thanks for the help.

[shoully (shoully)]

I wrote this

$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

The problem disappeared

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

Do *not* follow the advice in reply 27. It does not fully solve the problem as it may recur, and might introduce other issues. To properly test this, could someone please check for the 'update-grub' program as I suggested in reply 25?

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

i tested post #25 and got this : '1846 pts/0 S+ 0:00 greb update-grub'

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

ashbonne: I think you either had a typo in your command or with your output. "greb" --> "grep"

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

ok retyped it as in this 'ps ax (that funny line thing that ia can't do on here but its in) grep update-grub
and...
i got this:
'1909 pts/0 0:00 grep update-grub'
i repeated and got this:
'grep: grub: No such file or directory'
any help?

[WeatherGod (ben-v-root)]

Thanks ashbonne, this indicates to me that 'update-grub' is not the cause of the problem for you (but may still be the issue for others). I will look into other possibilities.

As a side note, the '|' symbol (which is typically found on English keyboards on the same key as the '\' symbol) is referred to as the 'pipe' in Linux-speak. If you care to know, its job at the command line is to take the output of the command before it and 'pipe' it as input into the command after it. Therefore, in this case, 'ps ax' outputs a list of all running processes, and 'grep update-grub' searches the input for any instances of the text 'update-grub'.

[ashbonne (ashbonne)]

wow, cool, thanks dude, i'm trying to learn as much as i can about linux, always been good at computers but with windows not linux, its all new to me. if you change this to another thread or something keep me informed of where and any ideas you come up with, thanks for your efforts, ash

[Adrian Bennett (adypunk)]

sudo dpkg --configure -a worked for me too!

[John Wise (wise-jf)]

 I had this problem as well as others who have posted on this topic. I tried to run "sudo dpkg --configure -a". The first time the terminal asked for my password and would not let me keyboard it in. After a reboot I tried again. This time it said it required superuser privileges. I found weathergods post suggesting the use of the 'sudo apt-get clean' command. I entered this and once again it asked for my password. I entered it and this time it worked. I was then able to install the software. Thanks to all who work so hard at making Ubuntu linux work for the masses. I hope to see Linux become the OS of the future.

[heavenhunter (heaven-hunter)]

I had this problemm as well.
I accidentally close Ubuntu Software Center while still installing something. The application just dissapear without any warning or confirmation.
The I reopen it again,happily the process is still in there. But I wrong. The process still listed but not running at all.
Even System Monitor tell that software-center process is sleeping.
After reboot, then try install/uninstall from Software Center, it says waiting for other software managers, forever.

sudo dpkg --configure -a doesn't work me. My ubuntu is installed on offline PC and only use DVD as software source.

[kevin (kevin-22marquez)]

i did it very easy...i just typed in the terminal the sudo thing... and after that, it worked... ".

[murali krishna naik (muraliiit1729)]

I accidentally close Ubuntu Software Center while still installing something. The application just dissapear without any warning or confirmation.
The I reopen it again,happily the process is still in there. But I wrong. The process still listed but not running at all
i tried sudo dpkg --configure -a
i got "dpkg: status database area is locked by another process" in terminal
please help me to fix it