[Solved] 528 packages held back. Cant build isos for testing. Not sure what to do.

[jimb1963]

Hi Hi
This post is more or less asking for advice. I create the SbK spins, that follow testing, that I release once a month. At present there are 528 packages being held back in testing. A few packages I might be able to fix, 528 is unlikely. Thats just for one of the 4 desktops I build, I havent checked 3 of them. Testing iso's wont build, getting a cron config error, likely because one of its dependencies is held back, but the logs dont give much info.
I can build unstable iso's. But releasing unstable iso's, that follow unstable, is something I am unsure of because of nature of unstable in the long term. Sid breaks things.
It is possible to build unstable iso's that would follow testing after building. But again I am not sure other than a long wait for updates what problems that could create long term.
The last option is to wait. But I have already been waiting 4 days. The window for me to get out a monthly release is going to close in a few days.

Any advice on what I should do, or the pitfalls of the options is appreciated

Jim

Edit: The cron issue is now gone. I will build what I can and not play games with unstable.

[froggit9000]

I had a similar issue with 600+ packages held back.
apt full-upgrade fixed the problem - see here for more details:
viewtopic.php?t=158477

[wizard10000]

Every instance of this issue I've seen has been resolved by doing a full-upgrade or dist-upgrade depending on whether you prefer apt or apt-get. I also had issues with aptitude during Sid's transition and a full-upgrade resolved them as well.

The issue is that apt/apt-get/aptitude upgrade doesn't remove packages, causing the new packages in the time_t64 migration to be held back. I would suggest simulating a full-upgrade first with "apt --dry-run full-upgrade", "apt-get -s dist-upgrade" or "aptitude -s full-upgrade" (aptitude is not installed by default).

If the simulation does what you need (and I believe it will) go ahead and run the command.

Hope this helps -