Ubuntu
update-manager package

update-manager should not crash due to one improperly formatted optional sources line

Bug #1115594 reported by charles clark
16
This bug affects 2 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
update-manager (Ubuntu)
Confirmed
Medium
Unassigned

Bug Description

lsb_release -rd output: Description: Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS
Release: 12.04

apt-cache policy update-manager output: update-manager:
  Installed: 1:0.156.14.11
  Candidate: 1:0.156.14.11
  Version table:
 *** 1:0.156.14.11 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1:0.156.14.5 0
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/main i386 Packages
     1:0.156.14 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main i386 Packages

system: Alienware M7700, MB ver 5, Intel P4 3.2GHz, MemTotal: 2837332 kB, build year 2005
did not find skype in the software center, so followed the process here: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-skype-in-ubuntu-12-04precise.html
this is the process: sudo apt-add-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype
There was an error during the install, did not capture the install, and the software center, which was running, crashed. since then, the software center launches but crashes after about 5 second, with the following error message: "Could not initialize the package information
An unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package information.
Please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and include the following error message:
'E:Malformed line 57 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list (dist parse)'"

the last line was part of the command line skype install error message

Skype did install successfully in that it ran, connected, etc. after the software center continued to crash, i apt-get purge'd skype, which, of course, did not change the crashing behavior.

contents of apport.log:
ERROR: apport (pid 7514) Mon Feb 4 09:08:37 2013: called for pid 7509, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 7514) Mon Feb 4 09:08:37 2013: script: /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt_check.py, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt-check")
ERROR: apport (pid 7514) Mon Feb 4 09:08:37 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 7514) Mon Feb 4 09:08:38 2013: wrote report /var/crash/_usr_lib_update-notifier_apt_check.py.1000.crash
ERROR: apport (pid 7950) Mon Feb 4 09:35:53 2013: called for pid 7945, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 7950) Mon Feb 4 09:35:53 2013: script: /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt_check.py, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt-check")
ERROR: apport (pid 7950) Mon Feb 4 09:35:53 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 7950) Mon Feb 4 09:35:54 2013: wrote report /var/crash/_usr_lib_update-notifier_apt_check.py.1000.crash
ERROR: apport (pid 8027) Mon Feb 4 09:36:07 2013: called for pid 8023, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 8027) Mon Feb 4 09:36:07 2013: script: /usr/share/software-center/update-software-center-agent, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/share/software-center/
update-software-center-agent --datadir /usr/share/software-center/")
ERROR: apport (pid 8027) Mon Feb 4 09:36:07 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 8027) Mon Feb 4 09:36:16 2013: wrote report /var/crash/_usr_share_software-center_update-software-center-agent.1000.crash
ERROR: apport (pid 2161) Mon Feb 4 09:38:34 2013: called for pid 2156, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 2161) Mon Feb 4 09:38:34 2013: script: /usr/share/software-center/update-software-center-agent, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/share/software-center/
update-software-center-agent --datadir /usr/share/software-center/")
ERROR: apport (pid 2161) Mon Feb 4 09:38:34 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 2161) Mon Feb 4 09:38:42 2013: wrote report /var/crash/_usr_share_software-center_update-software-center-agent.1000.crash
ERROR: apport (pid 2183) Mon Feb 4 09:38:59 2013: called for pid 2176, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 2183) Mon Feb 4 09:38:59 2013: script: /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt_check.py, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt-check")
ERROR: apport (pid 2183) Mon Feb 4 09:38:59 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 2183) Mon Feb 4 09:38:59 2013: this executable already crashed 2 times, ignoring
ERROR: apport (pid 2255) Mon Feb 4 09:39:14 2013: called for pid 2251, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 2255) Mon Feb 4 09:39:14 2013: script: /usr/share/software-center/update-software-center-agent, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/share/software-center/
update-software-center-agent --datadir /usr/share/software-center/")
ERROR: apport (pid 2255) Mon Feb 4 09:39:14 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 2255) Mon Feb 4 09:39:14 2013: this executable already crashed 2 times, ignoring
ERROR: apport (pid 2148) Mon Feb 4 09:57:25 2013: called for pid 2140, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 2148) Mon Feb 4 09:57:25 2013: script: /usr/share/software-center/update-software-center-agent, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/share/software-center/
update-software-center-agent --datadir /usr/share/software-center/")
ERROR: apport (pid 2148) Mon Feb 4 09:57:26 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 2148) Mon Feb 4 09:57:26 2013: this executable already crashed 2 times, ignoring
ERROR: apport (pid 2164) Mon Feb 4 09:57:45 2013: called for pid 2159, signal 11
ERROR: apport (pid 2164) Mon Feb 4 09:57:45 2013: script: /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt_check.py, interpreted by /usr/bin/python2.7 (command line "/usr/bin/python /usr/lib/update-notifier/apt-check")
ERROR: apport (pid 2164) Mon Feb 4 09:57:45 2013: debug: session gdbus call: (true,)

ERROR: apport (pid 2164) Mon Feb 4 09:57:45 2013: this executable already crashed 2 times, ignoring

and the relevant portion of the dpkg.log file:
2013-02-04 09:06:32 startup archives install
2013-02-04 09:06:33 install skype <none> 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:33 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:33 status triggers-pending bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:34 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:34 status triggers-pending desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:06:34 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:34 status triggers-pending gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:34 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:36 status unpacked skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:36 status unpacked skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:06:36 trigproc bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:36 status half-configured bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:36 status installed bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:36 trigproc desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:06:36 status half-configured desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:06:36 status installed desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:06:37 trigproc gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1 3.4.0-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:37 status half-configured gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:06:37 status installed gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:08:24 startup archives unpack
2013-02-04 09:08:25 install libqtwebkit4 <none> 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:25 status half-installed libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:28 status unpacked libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:28 status unpacked libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:28 install libxss1 <none> 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:28 status half-installed libxss1 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:28 status unpacked libxss1 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:29 status unpacked libxss1 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:30 startup packages configure
2013-02-04 09:08:30 configure libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4 <none>
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status unpacked libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status half-configured libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status installed libqtwebkit4 2.2.1-1ubuntu4
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status triggers-pending libc-bin 2.15-0ubuntu10.3
2013-02-04 09:08:30 configure libxss1 1:1.2.1-2 <none>
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status unpacked libxss1 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status half-configured libxss1 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status installed libxss1 1:1.2.1-2
2013-02-04 09:08:30 configure skype 4.1.0.20-1 <none>
2013-02-04 09:08:30 status unpacked skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:08:31 status unpacked skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:08:31 status half-configured skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:08:31 status installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:08:31 trigproc libc-bin 2.15-0ubuntu10.3 <none>
2013-02-04 09:08:31 status half-configured libc-bin 2.15-0ubuntu10.3
2013-02-04 09:08:31 status installed libc-bin 2.15-0ubuntu10.3
2013-02-04 09:35:47 startup packages purge
2013-02-04 09:35:47 status installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:48 remove skype 4.1.0.20-1 <none>
2013-02-04 09:35:48 status half-configured skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:48 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:48 status triggers-pending bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status triggers-pending desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status triggers-pending gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status half-installed skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status config-files skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 purge skype 4.1.0.20-1 <none>
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status config-files skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:49 status config-files skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status config-files skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status config-files skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status config-files skype 4.1.0.20-1
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status not-installed skype <none>
2013-02-04 09:35:50 trigproc bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1 <none>
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status half-configured bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status installed bamfdaemon 0.2.124.2-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:35:50 trigproc desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3 <none>
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status half-configured desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:35:50 status installed desktop-file-utils 0.20-0ubuntu3
2013-02-04 09:35:51 trigproc gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1 <none>
2013-02-04 09:35:51 status half-configured gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1
2013-02-04 09:35:51 status installed gnome-menus 3.4.0-0ubuntu1

xxxx@xxxx:~$ software-center
2013-02-04 10:17:12,513 - softwarecenter.ui.gtk3.app - INFO - setting up proxy 'None'
2013-02-04 10:17:12,522 - softwarecenter.db.database - INFO - open() database: path=None use_axi=True use_agent=True
2013-02-04 10:17:13,257 - softwarecenter.backend.reviews - WARNING - Could not get usefulness from server, no username in config file
2013-02-04 10:17:13,676 - softwarecenter.ui.gtk3.app - INFO - show_available_packages: search_text is '', app is None.
2013-02-04 10:17:14,536 - softwarecenter.db.pkginfo_impl.aptcache - INFO - aptcache.open()
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/pkginfo_impl/aptcache.py", line 243, in open
    self._cache = apt.Cache(GtkMainIterationProgress())
  File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/apt/cache.py", line 102, in __init__
    self.open(progress)
  File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/apt/cache.py", line 149, in open
    self._list.read_main_list()
SystemError: E:Malformed line 57 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list (dist parse)
2013-02-04 10:17:17,253 - softwarecenter.db.enquire - ERROR - _get_estimate_nr_apps_and_nr_pkgs failed
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/enquire.py", line 115, in _get_estimate_nr_apps_and_nr_pkgs
    tmp_matches = enquire.get_mset(0, len(self.db), None, xfilter)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/appfilter.py", line 89, in __call__
    if (not pkgname in self.cache and
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/pkginfo_impl/aptcache.py", line 263, in __contains__
    return self._cache.__contains__(k)
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute '__contains__'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/software-center", line 176, in <module>
    app.run(args)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/app.py", line 1422, in run
    self.show_available_packages(args)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/app.py", line 1352, in show_available_packages
    self.view_manager.set_active_view(ViewPages.AVAILABLE)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/session/viewmanager.py", line 154, in set_active_view
    view_widget.init_view()
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/panes/availablepane.py", line 171, in init_view
    self.apps_filter)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/catview_gtk.py", line 238, in __init__
    self.build(desktopdir)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/catview_gtk.py", line 511, in build
    self._build_homepage_view()
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/catview_gtk.py", line 271, in _build_homepage_view
    self._append_whats_new()
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/catview_gtk.py", line 450, in _append_whats_new
    whats_new_cat = self._update_whats_new_content()
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/views/catview_gtk.py", line 439, in _update_whats_new_content
    docs = whats_new_cat.get_documents(self.db)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/categories.py", line 124, in get_documents
    nonblocking_load=False)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/enquire.py", line 317, in set_query
    self._blocking_perform_search()
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/enquire.py", line 212, in _blocking_perform_search
    matches = enquire.get_mset(0, self.limit, None, xfilter)
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/appfilter.py", line 89, in __call__
    if (not pkgname in self.cache and
  File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/pkginfo_impl/aptcache.py", line 263, in __contains__
    return self._cache.__contains__(k)
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute '__contains__'

Revision history for this message
Walter Garcia-Fontes (walter-garcia) wrote :

Thanks for reporting this issue and making Ubuntu better. This seems to be a problem with either the file that provides the links to the repositories (sources.list) or some other files related to the upgrading process. This may have been caused by the manual installation you tried. If you have still this issue it could be convenient to convert this report to a question so that you can get support on how to solve it, otherwise please kindly ignore this message.

Changed in update-manager (Ubuntu):
status: New → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
Brian Murray (brian-murray) wrote :

The error message clearly states that the following:

'E:Malformed line 57 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list (dist parse)'

This means that line 57 in /etc/apt/sources.list is improperly formatted. This is likely due to the modification you made to add skype. If you were to attach the file to this bug report we could help you sort out the issue. Alternatively, you could just delete line 57 and not install skype from the partner archive.

Changed in update-manager (Ubuntu):
importance: Undecided → Low
Revision history for this message
charles clark (balsam-manor) wrote : Re: [Bug 1115594] Re: software-center crashes after skype install, error message during install
Download full text (17.9 KiB)

Hi Brian and Walter,
Thanks for getting back to me. I have moved past the problem by blowing
away in install and reinstalling Ubuntu, a bit of over kill I know, but
moved onto 12.10 as the reinstall image, so no real loss to me, but the
file is no longer available for troubleshooting. Before I go any further,
know that you have my utmost respect for your roles/skills/capabilities in
the Ubuntu/Linux project. I cannot do what you guys do, and you guys are
doing a very good thing. I wrote code for routers and switches in the
past, and so understand software coding and development and just how
complex any change, even a seemingly minor one, can be.

My only concern/comment, as someone who really wants linux to continue to
grow in in the desktop/laptop space, is that the update manager/software
center would effectively break due to a single improperly formatted line in
'/etc/apt/sources.list'. I can work around a problem like this (use
command-line to manage software installs/updates, reinstall the OS, delete
the offending line now that I know what I to break it and what to look for
in the future, etc), but someone like my wife or business partners would
run into this and go buy Windows or a Mac. In this particular case, I
broke the file (improperly formatted line), user inflicted damage, I accept
responsibility. But it would be great if a single broken line in
'etc/apt/sources.list', regardless of how the line was broken, did not
cripple the usability of the software center. I do not have time to
attempt to recreate the problem and then troubleshoot/investigate at the
moment, but will towards the end of April, if you want to pursue this
further. If not, I am ok with that as well.

Cheers,
^^bc

On 29 March 2013 11:02, Brian Murray <email address hidden> wrote:

> The error message clearly states that the following:
>
> 'E:Malformed line 57 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list (dist parse)'
>
> This means that line 57 in /etc/apt/sources.list is improperly
> formatted. This is likely due to the modification you made to add
> skype. If you were to attach the file to this bug report we could help
> you sort out the issue. Alternatively, you could just delete line 57
> and not install skype from the partner archive.
>
> ** Changed in: update-manager (Ubuntu)
> Importance: Undecided => Low
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1115594
>
> Title:
> software-center crashes after skype install, error message during
> install
>
> Status in “update-manager” package in Ubuntu:
> Incomplete
>
> Bug description:
> lsb_release -rd output: Description: Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS
> Release: 12.04
>
> apt-cache policy update-manager output: update-manager:
> Installed: 1:0.156.14.11
> Candidate: 1:0.156.14.11
> Version table:
> *** 1:0.156.14.11 0
> 500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main
> i386 Packages
> 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
> 1:0.156.14.5 0
> 500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/main
> i386 Packages
> 1:0.156.14 0
> 500 http://us.archive.u...

Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) wrote : Re: software-center crashes after skype install, error message during install

[Expired for update-manager (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

Changed in update-manager (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Expired
Brian Murray (brian-murray)
Changed in update-manager (Ubuntu):
importance: Low → Medium
status: Expired → Confirmed
summary: - software-center crashes after skype install, error message during
- install
+ update-manager should not crash due to one improperly formatted optional
+ sources line
Revision history for this message
Sekine Coulibaly (scoulibaly) wrote :

Creating a incorrectly written APT repository source file with Ubuntu 13.04 also allows to reproduce the issue.
This makes it impossible for unaware users (those not reading the bug report) to use the Update Manager anymore.

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