Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

initbox · 2009-07-22 19:12:40

So, I did a standard "Pacman -Syu", and it downloaded the packages and started upgrading them. At this point I left the computer unattended and I don't know at which point it got stuck, but when I got back, the screensaver had kicked in and I couldn't revive the system by hitting a key. Anyhow, there was nothing I could do except a hard reboot, and now the system won't boot.

Long story short, libreadline seems to be broken:

/bin/bash: error while loading shared libraries: /lib/libreadline.so.6: file too short

What should I do?

pressh · 2009-07-22 19:23:18

for starters, try chrooting into your install via a live disc or so and manually re-install readline (you may need to download it first)

Last edited by pressh (2009-07-22 19:23:33)

djszapi · 2009-07-22 19:30:23

Or from fallback reboot.

initbox · 2009-07-22 20:12:51

Nope, can't even chroot in because, I guess, bash can't even start up. The same error message pops up.

EDIT: I guess this would be fixable if I could somehow manually get a proper libreadline and copy it from a livecd. Don't know where I could get the lib in a ready-to-use form though

Last edited by initbox (2009-07-22 20:17:21)

.:B:. · 2009-07-22 20:20:57

Boot your installation CD, mount your install, use pacman with the root option to upgrade readline. Also, I had readline errors during the pacman upgrade already, so you can still reinstall the package after your -Syu finished (if it works ver here it should work for other people too).

I trust you have a way to see pacman output? If not, you should fix that, if you do, you should act to it accordingly .

initbox · 2009-07-22 22:48:48

OK, I did all the magic from the liveusb and after a second reboot into the real system, everything seemed to work (the first time I rebooted after it whined something about libshadow, so I went back and reinstalled that too) and I could log in and startx.

Now even my simple laptop bash script fails with a segmentation fault.

Seems like my system went from a completely working one to FUBAR. All I did was package upgrades from the last ~5 or so days. This is the first time this has happened though (I think), in a year or so... I have to go on a trip on friday so I guess I'll just reinstall, seems easier at this point since I can't be sure if there's more "mines" around.

I learned something new though, readline is an integral part of the system it seems.

arkham · 2009-07-22 22:57:46

You just have to boot a liveCD, mount your arch installation to /mnt and run pacman -r /mnt -Syu

initbox · 2009-07-22 23:22:35

arkham wrote:

You just have to boot a liveCD, mount your arch installation to /mnt and run pacman -r /mnt -Syu

I did exactly that, I also force-removed readline without dependency checks and then reinstalled readline and shadow and things still don't work.

Well, the system boots and everything seems to be fine but the script I've been using for ages (yes it works and should work) segmentation faults and the lines it mentions are correct.

arkham · 2009-07-25 22:06:54

initbox wrote:

Well, the system boots and everything seems to be fine but the script I've been using for ages (yes it works and should work) segmentation faults and the lines it mentions are correct.

From my tinfoil hat I guess that your script problem is caused by the strike of the underpaid crawling minions of the Dark Princess of Lemushiceland.

Seriously. Give precise information. Pastebin the script. I cannot read into your mind and I am not connected to the Matrix. Yet.

Arch Linux

#1 2009-07-22 19:12:40

Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#2 2009-07-22 19:23:18

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#3 2009-07-22 19:30:23

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#4 2009-07-22 20:12:51

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#5 2009-07-22 20:20:57

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#6 2009-07-22 22:48:48

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#7 2009-07-22 22:57:46

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#8 2009-07-22 23:22:35

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

#9 2009-07-25 22:06:54

Re: Pacman -Syu just broke Arch - unbootable

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