DPKG Error on Jetson Orin Nano Prevents Installing New Files

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano are experiencing a critical issue when attempting to install packages via the terminal using sudo apt install [package]. The error message indicates a problem with the package management system, specifically:

dpkg: unrecoverable fatal error, aborting:
 loading files list file for package 'evince-common': cannot open /var/lib/dpkg/info/evince-common.list (Bad message)

This error occurs consistently when users try to install or reinstall packages, particularly affecting the evince-common package. The file /var/lib/dpkg/info/evince-common.list is reported as empty or corrupted, leading to an inability to proceed with installations or updates. Attempts to rename or delete the problematic file result in a "Bad message" error, indicating possible filesystem issues.

The issue arises during standard package management operations and has been reported multiple times by users, significantly affecting their ability to maintain and update their systems. The impact is severe for users relying on the Jetson Orin Nano for critical applications, as it prevents any new software installations or updates.

Possible Causes

1. File System Corruption: The empty state of /var/lib/dpkg/info/evince-common.list may suggest corruption in the filesystem, possibly due to abrupt interruptions during package installations.

2. Incomplete Package Installations: Users reported pressing CTRL+C during installations, which can leave packages in an incomplete state, causing dependency issues.

3. Driver Issues: Problems with underlying drivers or dependencies that are not properly handled could lead to errors when accessing package lists.

4. Configuration Errors: Misconfigurations in the package management system could prevent proper reading of package files.

5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could lead to unexpected behavior in the system, causing file access errors.

6. User Errors: Incorrect commands or mismanagement of the package system by users could lead to these issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step 1: Check File System Integrity

Run a filesystem check to identify and repair potential corruption:

sudo fsck -f /

This command checks and attempts to fix filesystem errors on the root partition.

Step 2: Attempt to Fix Broken Packages

Use the following command to attempt to fix broken dependencies:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

This command will try to resolve any unmet dependencies and fix broken packages.

Step 3: Remove Problematic Package Files

If previous steps fail, manually back up and remove the corrupted files:

sudo mv /var/lib/dpkg/info/evince-common.list /var/lib/dpkg/info/evince-common.list.bak
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/evince-common.list.bak

This step may allow you to bypass the specific error related to evince-common.

Step 4: Reinstall Affected Packages

After removing the corrupted file, try reinstalling the affected package:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall evince-common

Step 5: Reinstall DPKG

If issues persist, consider reinstalling dpkg:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall dpkg

Step 6: Clean APT Cache

Clear any cached packages that may be causing conflicts:

sudo apt clean

Step 7: Update Package Lists

Finally, update your package lists:

sudo apt update

Best Practices for Future Prevention

• Regularly back up important data and configurations.
• Avoid interrupting installations; always let processes complete.
• Monitor system health (temperature/power supply) regularly.
• Consider using tools like apt autoremove periodically to clean up unused packages.

Additional Resources

• For further details on managing packages on Ubuntu systems, refer to Ubuntu Package Management Documentation.
• If problems persist after following these steps, consider reaching out on Nvidia’s developer forums for more specialized support.

This document serves as a comprehensive guide for addressing the DPKG error encountered on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano devices.