Trouble installing software / updating system

[TermiteHunter]

Unable to download / Install anything.
I am unable to download or install any thing from the internet. Using Firefox I click the download and begin the process. Firefox download manager opens, another window opens where I click Install package. then an error appears that I can have only one download manger program running at a time. Suggests closing synaptic, etc. I can find no other download manager running other than the Update notification which I managed to shut off under processes.
Have used some linux before but this is more than I am used too. Command line structure is not the easiest for some one with no exp with it.
Have had no success with the sudo this and apt-get that commands I have seen listed for OS updates. Cann't even tell if they are working. Sometimes it says that it couldn't open this or flush that and just sits... Is it done or is it still working there is another automatrix window open that says running.

Now trying to update the system but still not sure if it's running or stuck. Looks like it's running as occasionally a window will open but then the terminal says that it installed (none) , couldn't flush stdout; broken pipe
Whats that ? means nothing to me other than failure.

Sorry I'm rambling but this is confusing

What is running? How do I find it? How do I shut it down?

[DaddyX3]

Do:

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sudo apt-get update

then follow up with

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sudo apt-get upgrade

Hopefully this will get things straightened out for you.

[TermiteHunter]

It seems the apt-get update is working (along with some failed installs according to terminal) Will try the upgrade command when this appears to complete. Hard to tell if it's done or still working.
Will this then allow me to download and install other software packages from the net in Firefox? Previous attempts have resulted in the issue with another download manager running. Even when attempted first thing after a cold boot.

[TermiteHunter]

How will I know if it's done with this initial update?
I know its rather large but geez
Last few lines in terminal:

INSTALLED = *(none)*
Installing astromenace
sed; couldn't flush stdout: Broken pipe
dpkg-preconfigure: unable to re-open stdin

Looks to me as if the previous portion downloaded was NOT installed, then starts downloading astromenace, had some kind of problem, had another problem...
Now what? Wait?
I have no clue if it's downloading or what.
No other windows are open as before.
I hear a little occassional HD activity so I assume its downloading.

[DaddyX3]

Are you talking about the "upgrade" icon on your desktop? Is this what is taking so long to complete? If so, then yes .... it takes for ever to do the full "upgrade" icon - upgrade. Sometimes there is something waiting for your input in the background behind a window somewhere. Just move the windows around to make sure there is nothing hiding out behind it.

-- If your not doing the "upgrade icon" and just running the command I told you to do in terminal window, then I'm not sure why its holding you off so long. Can you post back your sources.list for me? In a terminal type:

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gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

then paste it back here so we can see if your all good on your repo list.

[vinca]

Also, just wanna throw this out there, 1.8 is recently out, i think the best ultimate yet, you might want to try an upgrade if you can save all your files/settings somewhere, there are also some backup tools installed already.

[TermiteHunter]

I have some how managed to complete both the upgrade and update. I must have been complete as the last lines entered in the previous posting are still present 4+ hours later. (not counting the time it took to get to that point) Again I ask , How do I know when its done?
This did clear up the inability to download and install other software packages from the internet.
I first attempted Ultimate 1.8 but was unable to get the wireless connection working. Thought I would step back to 1.7 which seemed to have fewer wireless problems.

[DaddyX3]

What kind of internet speed do you have?
And, once again - I will ask, DID YOU CLICK ON THE UPGRADE ICON ON YOUR DESKTOP? IS THAT WHERE YOU ARE STUCK?

[TermiteHunter]

Cable internet
BOTH
update in command now complete
upgrade via icon now complete

Instead of the yelling you might have read the post which indicated that both were accomplished, indicating that I am no longer "stuck"
The question was more along the lines of... when such commands are entered in terminal
How do you know when they are complete?
The last response from the terminal does not indicate whether it is still in process or if complete..The upgrade being a long process is understandable but again it is difficult to tell when it is complete.

[cowboy]

When you enter a command in the terminal..using mine for example..it will look like this..david@acowboydave:~$ ..when it is completed or done it will look like this..david@acowboydave:~$ ..giving you the option of entering another command...