i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

I'm trying to update my n900 to the latest firmware, which I recieved this morning. I've been reading in the threads etc so I've tried doing this

in x terminal:
apt-get clean
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

But when I type it into x terminal this error comes up for all three:

"
E: Counld not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (13 Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the list directory
~ $"


Thanks.

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

You need to have "rootsh" installed, from application manager.
Then type first in:

root

and then the other commands..

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

WOW FAST REPLY! Thanks man, works like a treat :) I updated :)

Love your accent btw.

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

http://wiki.maemo.org/General_precautions
http://wiki.maemo.org/root

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

I have installed Rootsh but still i get the same error?

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

do you have the applicaton manager still opened?
Then close it first...

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

@mfr: as mentioned before, you need administrative rights to run apt-get foo.
So: Go to application manager - check if you really have successfully installed rootsh.
Open xterm/busybox an type in: sudo gainroot [enter]
Wait for the prompt, then type in: whoami [enter]
Xterm's answer should be: root
(If not, your system is broken & you'll really need help).
If so, you can go on typing in: apt-get [option] [package].

Please notice:
1) Application manager must be closed to run apt-get, otherwise you'll get that error message again.
2) You *must* enter: exit [enter]
after apt-get finished it's job -- otherwise you'll most likely break your system within the next five minutes.

Just allow me one question: Who the heck told you to mess around with apt when you are so unfamiliar with linux /maemo?
(It's really easy to brick your device typing in commands without knowing their meaning!)

Regards, CB

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

Yeah, only people already familiar with linux should mess around with linux! That's how it got so popular!

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

Well, you are right.

The word 'free' in free software refers to the freedom even to brick your 600 € device.

Anyway, I thought it was only fair to point to that risk in advance - rather than laugh in schadenfreude afterwards.

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

open app manager
close app manager
wait for 5 min
then try again

**edit
wait
maybe i'm referring to a different error
:-/

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

Yeah, close Hildon App Manager.
But the question has to be asked - why can't you update using the app manager? You're lining yourself up for possible problems using apt-get for such a big update.

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

It happens when app manager updates catalogues in background
It's easy to solve:
sudo gainroot
killall apt-worker

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

These conversations go on so long after the OP has solved the problem, or left...zehjotkah had it right. No response since.

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

But mfr revived this old thread, which is good as it shows that he/she has been searching instead of starting a new thread :)

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

hello to all my friends

the problem m facing with my n900 from last couples of days when i attach my n900 to one of my friends pc its running on win 7 kindly help me on belows.

Question #1
when i connect my n900 through USB cable as mass storage mode it show me 2 icons (one icon displays n900 pic,other icon displays simple drive pic) when i open the n900 drive its empty no data folder such as image,audio,videos shown...at the same time when i copy any data from PC and i put in my memory and unplug my n900 its shows me in file manager outside the data folder, and my all data folder are showing same contents,

-Question #2
before showing this prblem i install GPS maps and now i uninstall all these application.

-Question #3-
i dnt wnt to use PC suite i love to use Mass storage mode

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

@mobesherzahid,

(1) Use the search function,
(2) Don't hijack an unrelated, dead, thread.

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

bro can u explain me.....

Re: i type "apt-get" in but says 'could not open lock file'
 

1.Try to use words and sentences, many here are not native in English, still trying hard to support you.
2.Try to get as much focus as you can to your issue you have with your phone by starting a fresh thread. Else your issue will draw only the attention of people interested in the thread title.
3.Try to get familiar with the Search, better even Advanced Search, -feature of this forum. With this rather aging devices, chances are that your problem or the solution might be discussed earlier.

Re: i type "whoami
 

hey bro please help me ..
when i typed whoami in terminal it xtrem said user
how to change it into root ,
i have to delete some data from phone for that i need to open app manager and its not opening because i am l am not root app manager says operation failed.

Re: i type "whoami
 

The answers you require are all in this thread, refer to post #7 from cbrill - he tells you exactly how to change it so you get 'root'.

Regards,