a couple questions

[UbuntuBoy]

a couple months back, i got a red circle with a white line (error) on the task bar. (ubuntu 10.04)

when i clicked on it, it says

Could not initialize the package information

an unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package information
please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and include the following error message:

'E:Type 's' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list, E:The list of sources could not be read.'

basically it never went away and i didn't know how to fix it. it wont let me upgrade to 10.10 from the task bar or inserting a CD (it said i don't meet requirements or something, idk). anyone know whats going on? sorry this is my first time using linux. i don't know anything.

help would be appreciated...sorry if this is a really stupid question...i guess i won't know unless i ask right?

[HROAdmin26]

'E:Type 's' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list

/etc/apt/sources.list

...Look at line 1 of this file. You can paste the contents on here (use the CODE tags.)

[UbuntuBoy]

/etc/apt/sources.list

...Look at line 1 of this file. You can paste the contents on here (use the CODE tags.)

where's the E: thing? can someone give me a step by step? it sounds really easy but i just don't know where to go for it. i'm like linux 101 x10...beginner..haha

i apologize in advance, i just want my system working properly. i've been using windows all my life.

[MASONTX]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure someone here can help you.

[HROAdmin26]

'E:Type 's' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list

Let's read the error message again - E:Type 's' is not known. Hence, there is probably a letter 's' in some wrong place in line 1 of that file.

...Look at line 1 of this file. You can paste the contents on here (use the CODE tags.)

[UbuntuBoy]

i still don't get it. i went to that file and there was no S in the file. sorry i'm so confused and getting frustrated.......can someone explain everything i need to do..even every click and typed letter i need to make..?

[tyho]

cat /etc/apt/sources.list

this will print the file. Post the output here (in CODE-Tags)

[UbuntuBoy]

cat /etc/apt/sources.list

this will print the file. Post the output here (in CODE-Tags)

im assuming type it in the terminal? i really don't know what im doing. forgive my stupidity. thats why i'm asking to dumb it down for me.

[oz]

im assuming type it in the terminal?

Hello and welcome!

Yes, enter that command in a terminal.

You can check LinuxCommand.org for more info on using the command line under Linux:

LinuxCommand.org: Learn the Linux command line

[UbuntuBoy]

bash: /etc/apt/sources.list: Permission denied