Pacman: Can't install any packages

JackH79 · 2009-12-01 09:17:00

I can't use pacman at all any more.

Whenever I try to install any kind of package, it comes up with

foo package not found, searching for group...
error: 'foo': not found in sync db

And yes, I tried it with other pkgs I definitely know exist. (Eg.: 'pacman -S bash' returns 'bash not found')

I can run pacman commands, such as

pacman -Syu

which "seems" to be working fine. It's telling me that my system is up to date (which could be true or not?).

When I

pacman -Syy

it starts out normal

:: Synchronizing package databases...
core      267.2K   343.2K/s 00:00:00 [#######---] 70%

it does core, then extra, but weirdly in the same line, overwriting the core text. Then the same for community, seemingly stopping at 80%, but actually finishing the command without an error mesage. So I end up with something that looks like this:

jack jack # pacman -Syy
:: Synchronizing package databases...
jack jack #      267.2K   343.2K/s 00:00:00 [#######---]80%

/var/log/pacman.log shows the event:

[2009-12-01 18:38] synchronizing package lists

My pacman.conf only refers to /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist for all repos and I have only one mirror uncommented in mirrorlist. The server is up and running and up to date (I'm using ftp://locke.suu.edu) and I can reach it by any other means (ping, ftp, and browser). Tried different mirrors as well but same results.

My /var/lib/pacman/local is untouched and healthy.

Tried

updatedb

to no avail.

pacman -Q lists all my local packages

I'm running Pacman 3.3.3

Edit: Also just reinstalled pacman and pacman-mirrorlist from manually downloaded packages, just for the sake of it: no change.

Anybody any idea what could be wrong?
Thanks in advance

Last edited by JackH79 (2009-12-01 09:22:26)

rekado · 2009-12-01 11:14:21

I've got the exact same problem.
(Additionally, my enter key always returns ^M... I have to type Ctrl+J to confirm my input, but I think this is unrelated.)

flamelab · 2009-12-01 11:18:32

Which mirror do you try ? Try the mir.archlinux.fr one.

rekado · 2009-12-01 11:25:25

Hmm, I just randomly commented my default mirrors (some Australian ones, some in Vietnam) and activated some American ones. I've got lots of "error: failed retrieving file .... from .... Connection timed out" messages now, but time and time again a package can be downloaded.
@JackH79: do you also use Australian mirrors normally? Try switching to other mirrors temporarily and let us know what happens.

JackH79 · 2009-12-02 05:36:45

As I pointed out in my first post, I tried multiple mirrors. Usually I'm using mirror.aarnet.edu.au, but have also tried the locke.suu.edu, which is in the States, plus some other random ones. All with the same result.

I'm quite glad that I'm not the only one with this problem. However, I'm unsure what might be the casue of it. If it's pacman, I would expect a lot more people complaining.

So I'm kind of lost here.

Any form of input would be much appreciated.

EDIT: Now this is amazing!!! Just tried flamelab's suggestion to use the mir.archlinux.fr mirror and it works. How (un)cool is this. Now I'm doubley confused.

Thanks flamelab!

Last edited by JackH79 (2009-12-02 05:54:12)

Hinux · 2009-12-21 21:00:06

I have the same problem... but to select mir.archlinux.fr mirror doesn't work .

Last edited by Hinux (2009-12-21 21:01:28)

Arch Linux

#1 2009-12-01 09:17:00

Pacman: Can't install any packages

#2 2009-12-01 11:14:21

Re: Pacman: Can't install any packages

#3 2009-12-01 11:18:32

Re: Pacman: Can't install any packages

#4 2009-12-01 11:25:25

Re: Pacman: Can't install any packages

#5 2009-12-02 05:36:45

Re: Pacman: Can't install any packages

#6 2009-12-21 21:00:06

Re: Pacman: Can't install any packages

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