mysql fails to update through synaptic

Have you tried using the "Reinstall this package" feature in Synaptic?

Kristopher

Thanks for responding.

No, I had not tried this.

So I had a go today.

In Synaptic, the option to Reinstall these two packages was greyed out,
so I marked them both for Removal (not Complete Removal) as a first
step. One of them failed this stage as follows

E: mysql-server-5.0: subprocess pre-removal script returned error exit
status 1

I ignored this error and then marked mysql-server for Installation - the
option was not offered for the one whose removal had failed. I think
(from the messages thrown up) that Synaptic reckoned it was upgrading
from version 5.4 to 5.5. However this too failed

E: /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.5_i386.deb:
subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1

E: /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.5_all.deb:
subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1

Now in Synaptic, the packages are marked as follows:
mysql-server with (I think) the 'Mark for Reinstallation' arrow in its
box. The name and details have a light green background.

mysql-server-5.0 with (I think) the 'Mark for Upgrade' arrow in its
filled-in box. The name and details have a light yellow background.

Is this any help? I only have a basic knowledge of Synaptic (more of an
Applications background than Systems) so am nervous about anything which
might mess up the system.

Richard

Kristopher Ives wrote:
> Your question #104114 on mysql-dfsg-5.0 in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mysql-dfsg-5.0/+question/104114
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Kristopher Ives requested for more information:
> Have you tried using the "Reinstall this package" feature in Synaptic?
>
>

--
** from R Welch **

I had this same problem a while ago when a package script was failing too, and it wouldn't let me remove the package. I did this:

http://www.khattam.info/2009/08/04/solved-subprocess-pre-removal-script-returned-error-exit-status-2-error/

Then I was able to remove the package and install it again.

Kristopher

Thanks for your response. I followed the steps in khattam.info and
synaptic then did not regard the package as installed, as expected. But
when I tried to install it, I got what looked like the same error again,
only now referring to installation rather than removal.

E: /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.5_i386.deb:
subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
E: /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.5_all.deb:
subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1

In the detail provided by synaptic as it runs, it seemed to say it was
trying and failing to stop a mysql database process mysqld. Could this
be the source of the problem? If so, do you know what I can do about it
and why it might have started to be a problem?

Thanks for your time

Richard

Kristopher Ives wrote:
> Your question #104114 on mysql-dfsg-5.0 in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mysql-dfsg-5.0/+question/104114
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Kristopher Ives proposed the following answer:
> I had this same problem a while ago when a package script was failing
> too, and it wouldn't let me remove the package. I did this:
>
> http://www.khattam.info/2009/08/04/solved-subprocess-pre-removal-script-
> returned-error-exit-status-2-error/
>
> Then I was able to remove the package and install it again.
>
>

--
** from R Welch **