Re: Used tasksel to remove packages, now there are dependency issues

[Douglas Allan Tutty <dtutty@porchlight.ca>]

On Thu, Mar 22, 2007 at 06:58:14PM -0700, Glen Pfeiffer wrote:
> When I installed etch on an extra box I had plans for it to be a
> file and web development server. Then my wife needed a computer,
> so I gave it to her. But I wanted to tune it a bit, and started
> by removing all those software services she doesn't need. I used
> tasksel to remove the following tasks:
> 
> 	* Web Server
> 	* File Server
> 	* Mail Server
> 
> Now when I run an aptitude install, remove, or purge I get a long
> list of errors saying it is unable to configure some packages due
> to broken dependencies. Here is a snipped version, I hope has
> enough information:
> 
> # aptitude purge
> [snip]
> Setting up openbsd-inetd (0.20050402-5) ...
> Starting internet superserver: inetdinvoke-rc.d: initscript
> openbsd-inetd,
> action "start" failed.
> dpkg: error processing openbsd-inetd (--configure):
>  subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
> dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of netbase:
> dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of exim4-base:
> dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of
> 
> [snip similar errors on other packages]
 
> Question 1: What should I do? I am pretty sure I don't need
> exim4* as I have no need for a mail server, but I don't know
> about netbase and some of the others. Any help will be much
> appreciated.
> 
> Question 2: Should I have *not* used tasksel for this?
> 

1.	You run Debian.  You need a mail transport agent.  Many scripts
	are set up to mail information to root.  Without a MTA, this
	doesn't happen.  Out-of-the-box exim4 on Etch will deliver local
	mail only.

	Since networking is notworking, and so many things in *NIX rely
	on networking even without being connected to a network, you
	want the minimum trying to run.  Run in single mode (either
	reboot single or do a shutdown (no -r or -h) to single-user.
	When done do a full shutdown -r rather than change back to RL 2.

	Its openbsd-inetd that's messing up the works.  Try reinstall:
	# apt-get install --reinstall openbsd-inetd

	See what errors you get then.

	Then try 

	#/etc/openbsd-inetd stop
	#/etc/openbsd-inetd start

	See what errors you get and try to track them down.

	If you get stuck, send those error messages here.


2.	I've never used tasksel.  I always use aptitude interactivly.
	But changing to aptitude is a whole other kettle of fish.

Good luck.

Doug.