Arch Linux

vis

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2007-02-25

Posts: 81

Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

I've installed Arch on a P-III, 256 MB Compaq desktop just now. The initial round went all OK but can not use pacman. Whatever I try, I get "error: error while reading package: Unrecognized archive format: Invalid or incomplete multibyte or wide character, error: failed to commit transaction (libarchive error)"

Is the install CD too old? I don't have a CD writer around right now. :-(

flamelab

Member

From: Athens, Hellas (Greece)

Registered: 2007-12-26

Posts: 2,160

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

Didn't you use the 2010.5 installation cd ?

vis

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2007-02-25

Posts: 81

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

No, archdoc.txt inside says "Arch Linux (Don't Panic) Installaion Guide, October 1, 2007, Version 1.07"

sand_man

Member

From: Australia

Registered: 2008-06-10

Posts: 2,164

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

My guess is that if you are downloading a .xz archive then the version of pacman you are using does not support it.

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flamelab

Member

From: Athens, Hellas (Greece)

Registered: 2007-12-26

Posts: 2,160

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

No, archdoc.txt inside says "Arch Linux (Don't Panic) Installaion Guide, October 1, 2007, Version 1.07"

You should find a way to use the latest installation ISO.

Pierre

Developer

From: Bonn

Registered: 2004-07-05

Posts: 1,964

Website

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

You could try to run pacman -Syu on the install iso first. But I really would not recommend to use that old isos to install. Note: the new isos can also be put on a flash drive using dd; so no cd-r is needed.

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3E80 CA1A 8B89 F69C BA57  D98A 76A5 EF90 5444 9A5C

vis

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2007-02-25

Posts: 81

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

Hallo all

Thanks, for the support! Yes, I should forget this iso.

This P-III has a DVD-ROM but no writer. It can't boot from USB.

I have a new Lenovo X201 which also has no optical drive.. I got the boot-manager promt, then all the kernel boot message. After something with "preparing udev" the screen goes blank. May be I got the wrong iso, which is the right one (Lenovo X201)?

vis

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2007-02-25

Posts: 81

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

Got the latest archlinux-2010.05-core-i686.iso and it worked as documented. Thanks to everybody!

bercupic

Member

From: Pula, Croatia

Registered: 2006-02-28

Posts: 12

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

I have similar problem with a computer that haven't been updated for a very long time.

I tried to upgrade pacman first, but run into an "Unrecognized archive format" problem.

How to solve this situation?

Thanks.

hokasch

Member

Registered: 2007-09-23

Posts: 1,461

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

This sticky from the Newbie Corner should help you:
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=95007

edit: sorry, apparently I somehow missed what that topic was really about. disregard above post.

Last edited by hokasch (2010-07-27 19:05:36)

MoonSwan

Member

From: Great White North

Registered: 2008-01-23

Posts: 881

Re: Fresh install 08.12 libarchive error

Updating the bios usually fixes computers unable to boot from usb keys.  I had an ancient PII Panasonic laptop (a Toughbook) that couldn't/wouldn't use an usb key to boot up. I fixed it by simply updating it's bios. I realised later that usb key booting capability only came around about the time the PII was just hitting it's stride, so this method works for most computers, I suspect (though I've not tested it).

Please mark the thread as solved.

Last edited by MoonSwan (2010-07-27 18:36:39)