Ubuntu server, major problem

[lusoaresjr]

I just installed ubuntu server, and this problem showed in the image really irritates me. I have no idea how to navigate the terminal and it is a headless system.

 

(help)

[FilipposTechGR]

12 minutes ago, lusoaresjr said:

I just installed ubuntu server, and this problem showed in the image really irritates me. I have no idea how to navigate the terminal and it is a headless system.

 

(help)

Since you’re on a fresh server install, try running:

sudo apt update --allow-releaseinfo-change

If that doesn’t fix it, you may need to update your sources list to the correct mirrors. On Ubuntu you can edit it with:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

and replace old links with the current Ubuntu archive ones (http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/)

Since it’s headless, you’ll be doing everything in terminal, but don’t worry, once apt update runs cleanly, you’ll be able to install whatever you need.
 

[DraconisMaximus]

4 minutes ago, FilipposTechGR said:

Since you’re on a fresh server install, try running:

sudo apt update --allow-releaseinfo-change

If that doesn’t fix it, you may need to update your sources list to the correct mirrors. On Ubuntu you can edit it with:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

and replace old links with the current Ubuntu archive ones (http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/)

Since it’s headless, you’ll be doing everything in terminal, but don’t worry, once apt update runs cleanly, you’ll be able to install whatever you need.
 

The file:/cdrom line means it is trying to do updates from the installation image. If you have physical installation media remove it. If it is a vm disable the virtual device with the installation media. Then, ensure that the installation media is not listed in the sources list mentioned above. 

[lusoaresjr]

10 hours ago, FilipposTechGR said:

Since you’re on a fresh server install, try running:

sudo apt update --allow-releaseinfo-change

If that doesn’t fix it, you may need to update your sources list to the correct mirrors. On Ubuntu you can edit it with:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

and replace old links with the current Ubuntu archive ones (http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/)

Since it’s headless, you’ll be doing everything in terminal, but don’t worry, once apt update runs cleanly, you’ll be able to install whatever you need.
 

How do I navigate the nano interface? I tried going in to nano and couldn't get out or do any keyboard commands... So was forced to restart the pc 

 

(Edit: I learned to navigate nano and updated the archive list correctly. Now the problem persists, it is trying to find a file on a removable device and do updates on it...) 

 

This is the error now after my efforts

[lusoaresjr]

10 hours ago, DraconisMaximus said:

The file:/cdrom line means it is trying to do updates from the installation image. If you have physical installation media remove it. If it is a vm disable the virtual device with the installation media. Then, ensure that the installation media is not listed in the sources list mentioned above. 

I dont have removable storage plugged in... Can i change where the system does the updates manually? Bc that seems like what options I have rn

[DraconisMaximus]

1 hour ago, lusoaresjr said:

I dont have removable storage plugged in... Can i change where the system does the updates manually? Bc that seems like what options I have rn

What is the output of  cat /etc/apt/sources.list

Some newer versions of Ubuntu use  "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources" instead so show the output of /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources too.

This is the default "/etc/apt/sources.list" from a VM I just stood up.

# Generated by distrobuilder
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu plucky main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu plucky-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu plucky-security main restricted universe multiverse

 

 

Serious question though, are you sure you want to continue with a headless / GUI-less intstallation?

You don't seem comfortable with it and Ubuntu Desktop can do almost Ubuntu Server can (and much more). If like me you hate the newer "For the Masses Features" like the updater, Mint (based on Ubuntu) is a great alternative. For a lightweight server build you could try the OG Debian with Xfce or LXDE as the GUI.

 

Edit: Or if you are committed to it, since it is a fresh build just reinstalling may be your best bet.

Edited September 5, 2025 by DraconisMaximus

[FilipposTechGR]

1 hour ago, lusoaresjr said:

I dont have removable storage plugged in... Can i change where the system does the updates manually? Bc that seems like what options I have rn

Try replacing them with the archive ones.  edit with:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

and replace the contents with:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main universe restricted multiverse  
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main universe restricted multiverse  
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main universe restricted multiverse

Replace focal with the correct version your server is based on.

After saving, run:

sudo apt update

and it should fetch properly.

Looks like your sources.list is still pointing to old/invalid repos bionic/plucky. Try replacing them with the archive ones. For example, edit with:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

and replace the contents with:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main universe restricted multiverse  
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main universe restricted multiverse  
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main universe restricted multiverse

Replace focal with the correct version your server is based on.

After saving, run:

sudo apt update

and it should fetch properly.

[lusoaresjr]

1 hour ago, DraconisMaximus said:

What is the output of  cat /etc/apt/sources.list

Some newer versions of Ubuntu use  "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources" instead so show the output of /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources too.

This is the default "/etc/apt/sources.list" from a VM I just stood up.

# Generated by distrobuilder
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu plucky main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu plucky-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu plucky-security main restricted universe multiverse

 

 

Serious question though, are you sure you want to continue with a headless / GUI-less intstallation?

You don't seem comfortable with it and Ubuntu Desktop can do almost Ubuntu Server can (and much more). If like me you hate the newer "For the Masses Features" like the updater, Mint (based on Ubuntu) is a great alternative. For a lightweight server build you could try the OG Debian with Xfce or LXDE as the GUI.

 

Edit: Or if you are committed to it, since it is a fresh build just reinstalling may be your best bet.

I just want to get Casa OS running. And after that I'm not gonna touch it xD

[DraconisMaximus]

Have you confirmed you have a functioning network connection?

You can the following to test basic connectivity:

 

#ping Google DNS (To Test Basic Connectivity)
ping -c 5 8.8.8.8
#ping Cloudflare DNS (To Verify Basic Connectivity)
ping -c 5 1.1.1.1
#ping Google (To Test DNS Function)
ping -c 5 google.com
#ping DuckDuckGo (To Verify DNS Function)
ping -c 5 duckduckgo.com