[SOLVED] Missing desc file

barronmo · 2017-07-16 13:47:20

My last update got interrupted. I got it fixed and running but am now trying a subsequent update and get the following error:

error: could not open file /var/lib/pacman/local/linux-4.11.7-1/desc: No such file or directory
resolving dependencies...
looking for conflicting packages...
warning: could not fully load metadata for package linux-4.11.7-1
error: failed to prepare transaction (invalid or corrupted package)

Would it be OK to use force in this case?

sudo pacman --force -S linux-4.11.7-1

Last edited by barronmo (2017-07-17 13:38:40)

berbae · 2017-07-16 14:44:09

Don't run 'pacman -S package' but rather 'pacman -Syu package'.

And you could look at a more detailed output of the command adding the --debug option:

pacman --debug -Syu linux

So try to solve the problem without the --force option.

Edit; correcting command from following post, I realized that the linux package name was not good. Sorry

Last edited by berbae (2017-07-17 08:51:09)

Trilby · 2017-07-16 15:18:58

To both of the above: linux-4.11.7-1 is not a package, so none of the above listed pacman commands will do anything other than give a 'target not found' error.

Also, that version is the existing package currently installed, not the one you want to install anyways. There is a problem with your local database. If this is a one-off problem with the linux package, then using --force with the installation of *just that package* may be warranted. If this is happening for other packages, however, you should probably figure out how you are losing desc files.

Scimmia · 2017-07-16 15:26:19

The "No such file or directory" won't be solved with --force. The easiest thing to do is touch that file so it exists (it's normally just a text file with a description, nothing critical). After that, you should be able to update, or at least move on to the next issue.

barronmo · 2017-07-16 19:14:39

I tried creating a blank desc file. Got the following error:

error: could not open file /var/lib/pacman/local/linux-4.11.7-1/files: No such file or directory
warning: could not fully load metadata for package linux-4.11.7-1
error: failed to prepare transaction (invalid or corrupted package)

WorMzy · 2017-07-16 19:38:12

Remove the /var/lib/pacman/local/linux-4.11.7-1 directory, then recreate the database entry for that package using the cached version of that package (download it from the ALA if you don't have a copy)

pacman -U --dbonly /path/to/linux-4.11.7-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.xz

Then update your system

pacman -Syu

barronmo · 2017-07-17 13:38:17

Thanks WorMzy, that worked.

w_tan · 2018-12-10 03:34:41

Hi,

I have similar issue with "iso-codes" (missing "desc" and "files"). I first "touch"-ed both of the files and tried reinstall, it does not work. Using WorMzy's method does not work for me either, error msg when running "pacman -U -dbonly /home/twj/Downloads/iso-codes-4.1-1-any.pkg.tar.xz":

error: failed to initialise alpm library
(could not find or read directory: only)

When i run "pacman -Syu iso-codes", I have error saying a tons of files already exist (those that were supposed to be added through installation) (sorry guys, I have closed the terminal and do not have the error message already).
So I removed all of them and finally I could install "iso-codes".

Last edited by w_tan (2018-12-10 03:35:28)

jasonwryan · 2018-12-10 05:03:35

Please don't necrobump, especially solved threads: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Co … bumping.22

Closing

Arch Linux

#1 2017-07-16 13:47:20

[SOLVED] Missing desc file

#2 2017-07-16 14:44:09

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#3 2017-07-16 15:18:58

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#4 2017-07-16 15:26:19

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#5 2017-07-16 19:14:39

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#6 2017-07-16 19:38:12

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#7 2017-07-17 13:38:17

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#8 2018-12-10 03:34:41

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

#9 2018-12-10 05:03:35

Re: [SOLVED] Missing desc file

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