Re: dpkg will not remove package

["Dale Miracle" <dalem@teoi.net>]

I tried that but I still got the same error.  However, since I wrote the
message I did some more research.  I downloaded the files from debian's
package list on their website.  I went back because they had a link to
proftp's website.  When it loaded it resolved to a .uk address.  I went to
look for another mirror thinking the files I downloaded were corrupt and
found a non us mirror for debian. (I am in the US)  I configured my dselect
to use that mirror and it worked.  I selected the proftpd with mysql support
and it downloaded/installed and loaded the config script.  I looked at the
dpkg list and all is happy now.
Don't ask me why the .uk site worked and the files I downloaded didn't.  I
did notice that the US mirror for debian didn't have proftp listed in
dselect.
I wrote down the tips you sent for future reference.  I am new to debian but
not to linux/unix.  I ran slackware for 4 years and then switched to openbsd
for 2.  I am now switching to debian and so far I really like it.
Thank you for your quick response!

Dale

----- Original Message -----
From: "sean finney" <seanius@seanius.net>
To: "Dale Miracle" <dalem@teoi.net>
Cc: <debian-user@lists.debian.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 12:43 AM
Subject: Re: dpkg will not remove package

hiya,

have you tried using apt?  apt is the frontend to the dpkg/deb system
that deals with things like dependencies.  to completely remove
something you can do

# apt-get --purge remove packagename

and it should detect anything that it would break, and ask you if
you want to remove all of that as well.  if you're not familiar with
apt, i'd recommend glancing over the apt-get and apt-cache man pages,
those are two very cool features of debian.  also, if your system
has ended up in some kind of wierd everythings-half-installed-and-broken
state, try

# apt-get -f install

which will try and fix things as best as an automated package management
system can do on its own.

hth,
sean

ps - for future reference, could you please wrap your lines between
75 and 80 columns?