Some users are reporting the following (or similar) errors from Synaptic / Aptitude:
E: Unable to parse package file /var/lib/dpkg/status (2) E: Unable to lock the download directory
There appears to be two solutions:
1.) Closing Synaptic, and running:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
2.) Within Synaptic, run Edit / Fix Broken Packages twice.
After each of these, it would be advisable to update the package list, by either:
Within Synaptic, press the Reload button.
Or, from the shell, run
sudo apt-get update
Note: the error would appear to be caused by use of the search facility within Synaptic. To resolve, don't use the search and manually scroll through the sections / packages until you find what you need. Then add them in the normal way and you should avoid the errors.
samo az: there appears to be 3rd “solution”, i just repeat the action that complains - usualy that is some installation/removal/upgrade - and it succeeds the second time.
For a 4th, if you have used the search and the Search Results button is still selected, click a different button, e.g. Sections, then try Apply again.
Yet another solution when using Synaptic is to mark all the packages you want, using the search button or not. Instead of clicking “Apply”, save what you have marked (File>Save Markings As…) then close Synaptic. Restart Synaptic again, go File>Read Markings… and you should be able to click “Apply” with no error messages.
