[Bug 2073293] [NEW] Declining partial update appears to leave "Software Updater" in unworking state

[Andi McClure]

Public bug reported:

I found a bug that I suspect is reproducible, but which I do not know
how to test the repro steps for unaided. Here is what I saw:

I was seeing a problem and decided to run Software Updater (the gui app
from the dash dock activity search thing) to see if the problem fixed
itself. After checking for updates, it presented a dialog I had not seen
before, saying (from memory) "Ubuntu is only able to do a partial
update. This may happen because [list of reasons]. You may perform the
partial update now and then finish updates later." I did not have time
for this so I closed this window, as I remember by clicking the X, then
rebooted.

After reboot I ran Software Updater again. This did not bring back the
"partial updates" box. Instead it showed me the normal "Updated software
is available for this computer" box and a list of updates. However, at
this point, the GUI was "dead". I could scroll and click buttons, but
clicking "Install now" or "Settings..." had no effect other than the
buttons darkening on click. This state persisted after another reboot.
[It was at this point I ran ubuntu-bug and collected logs.]

At this point I thought: If the GUI updater isn't working, I should try
apt. I ran apt-get update and apt-get upgrade and successfully upgraded
many packages. After this, I again ran Software Updater. This time it
said "The software on your computer is up to date". However, the GUI is
still "dead", clicking "OK" or "Settings and Pro…" have no effect other
than darkening the button.

Hypothesis: Getting the partial upgrade offer box, then exiting it in an
abnormal fashion such as clicking the X, does something to on-disk state
that leaves Software Updater unable to run. Perhaps someone who knows
how to force Software Updater to give the partial upgrade offer should
try to reproduce this.

I do not know if this is the correct package to file against. If I
guessed wrong, please transfer it to the correct component.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 24.04
Package: update-manager 1:24.04.6
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.8.0-38.38-generic 6.8.8
Uname: Linux 6.8.0-38-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.28.1-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: unknown
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Tue Jul 16 14:20:11 2024
InstallationDate: Installed on 2023-10-18 (273 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 23.10.1 "Mantic Minotaur" - Release amd64 (20231016.1)
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 TERM=xterm-256color
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
SourcePackage: update-manager
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to noble on 2024-06-03 (43 days ago)

** Affects: update-manager (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug noble

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2073293

Title:
  Declining partial update appears to leave "Software Updater" in
  unworking state

Status in update-manager package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  I found a bug that I suspect is reproducible, but which I do not know
  how to test the repro steps for unaided. Here is what I saw:

  I was seeing a problem and decided to run Software Updater (the gui
  app from the dash dock activity search thing) to see if the problem
  fixed itself. After checking for updates, it presented a dialog I had
  not seen before, saying (from memory) "Ubuntu is only able to do a
  partial update. This may happen because [list of reasons]. You may
  perform the partial update now and then finish updates later." I did
  not have time for this so I closed this window, as I remember by
  clicking the X, then rebooted.

  After reboot I ran Software Updater again. This did not bring back the
  "partial updates" box. Instead it showed me the normal "Updated
  software is available for this computer" box and a list of updates.
  However, at this point, the GUI was "dead". I could scroll and click
  buttons, but clicking "Install now" or "Settings..." had no effect
  other than the buttons darkening on click. This state persisted after
  another reboot. [It was at this point I ran ubuntu-bug and collected
  logs.]

  At this point I thought: If the GUI updater isn't working, I should
  try apt. I ran apt-get update and apt-get upgrade and successfully
  upgraded many packages. After this, I again ran Software Updater. This
  time it said "The software on your computer is up to date". However,
  the GUI is still "dead", clicking "OK" or "Settings and Pro…" have no
  effect other than darkening the button.

  Hypothesis: Getting the partial upgrade offer box, then exiting it in
  an abnormal fashion such as clicking the X, does something to on-disk
  state that leaves Software Updater unable to run. Perhaps someone who
  knows how to force Software Updater to give the partial upgrade offer
  should try to reproduce this.

  I do not know if this is the correct package to file against. If I
  guessed wrong, please transfer it to the correct component.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 24.04
  Package: update-manager 1:24.04.6
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.8.0-38.38-generic 6.8.8
  Uname: Linux 6.8.0-38-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.28.1-0ubuntu3
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperMD5CheckResult: unknown
  CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
  Date: Tue Jul 16 14:20:11 2024
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2023-10-18 (273 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 23.10.1 "Mantic Minotaur" - Release amd64 (20231016.1)
  PackageArchitecture: all
  ProcEnviron:
   LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   SHELL=/bin/bash
   TERM=xterm-256color
   XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
  SourcePackage: update-manager
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to noble on 2024-06-03 (43 days ago)

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