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I need to uninstall Adobe Reader version 9.5.5-1. I got this error "Items cannot uninstalled or removed ..." I'd already tried sudo dpkg --purge adobereader-enu and still failed. Here is the detail:

Unpacking acroread-bin:i386 (from .../acroread-bin_9.5.5- 1precise1_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/acroread-bin_9.5.5-  1precise1_i386.deb (--unpack):
trying to overwrite  '/opt/Adobe/Reader9/Reader/intellinux/mozilla/prefs.js',   which is also in package  adobereader-enu:i386 9.5.5
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)

Errors were encountered while processing:
/var/cache/apt/archives/acroread-bin_9.5.5-1precise1_i386.deb
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of acroread:
acroread depends on acroread-bin; however:
Package acroread-bin is not installed.

dpkg: error processing acroread (--configure):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Rui F Ribeiro
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noobElementary
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1 Answers1

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Since we tested the first error in comments, and there is no package, lets try the second: 

Errors were encountered while processing:
/var/cache/apt/archives/acroread-bin_9.5.5-1precise1_i386.deb
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of acroread:
acroread depends on acroread-bin; however:
Package acroread-bin is not installed.

Lets follow Step 2 from Elementary's Community Q and A, which states:

2) Install important and additional packages and repositories

I always install Synaptic, dconf, gksu, leafpad and Gdebi as they are not installed as default and in some cases programs such as synaptic and gdebi provide a superior experience than the default software centre. I also install an alternative browser such as Google Chrome (this can be downloaded from their website and an office suite.

While I tend to disagree with adding Ubuntu Repositories here, I do agree with adding Synaptic or Gdebi because of the added dependency checking.

Hunch

The file /opt/Adobe/Reader9/Reader/intellinux/mozilla/prefs.js has been installed by another package that performs the same function that the Adobe Reader you want. Since we can't tell what that package is, we need to use a tool with dependency checking, in order to see what that package is, then uninstall that package and then install the newest Version of Adobe Reader.

Steps

  1. Open a terminal; sudo apt-get install synaptic gdebi
  2. Optional: Add A repository: sudo apt-add-repository ppa:versable/elementary-update
  3. sudo apt-get update
  4. Open Applications Menu > System > Synaptic.
  5. Search for Adobe. If anything similar to reader is installed, highlight the package, choose 'Mark for Uninstall'.
  6. In the terminal from step 1, sudo gdebi ../acroread-bin_9.5.5- 1precise1_i386.deb

Post the results in your original question.

eyoung100
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