How to enable the universe and multiverse repositories in Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy)
Posted by admin on June 4th, 2008 
Email This Post
The universe and multiverse repositories are official Ubuntu repositories, with safe, well-tested programs. The only difference between them and the repositories enabled by default is that the universe and multiverse repositories are maintained by the Ubuntu community rather than by paid Ubuntu developers.
There are three ways to enable the universe and multiverse repositories in Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron): via the graphical Software Sources tool,via the Synaptic Package Manager or via the command line.
Using Software Sources
To enable the universe and multiverse repositories using the Software Sources tool, you need to follow this procedure
Go to System->Administration->Software Sources
Enter your root password if you are prompted.Once the program loads, check the boxes next to “Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)” and “Software restricted by copyright or legal issues (multiverse)” click on close .
A dialog will prompt you to reload the package information. Click the “reload” button.
If you do not see any errors, then you have successfully enabled the universe and multiverse repositories.
Using Synaptic Package Manager
To enable the universe and multiverse repositories using the Synaptic Package Manager, follow this procedure
Open System->Administration->Synaptic Package Manager
Enter your root password if you are prompted Once the program loads, look at the menu at the top. Click Settings->Repositories.
Check the boxes next to “Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)” and “Software restricted by copyright or legal issues (multiverse)” click on close.
A dialog will appear with The repository information has changed.You have to Click the “reload” button… and click on close.
Now you need to click on Reload from the top menu
If you do not see any errors, then you have successfully enabled the universe and multiverse repositories.
Using Command Line (Only for advanced Users)
To enable the universe and multiverse repositories using the command line, you can execute the following steps:
Open a terminal and open your sources.list file using the following command
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Assuming you are using the default sources.list, you should be able to replace everything currently in that file with the following
## MAIN REPOSITORIES
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted universe multiverse
## MAJOR BUG FIX UPDATES produced after the final release
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
## UBUNTU SECURITY UPDATES
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-security main restricted universe multiverse
If you wish to enable the backports and proposed repositories as well (recommended), then add these lines as well
## BACKPORTS REPOSITORY
deb http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
## PROPOSED REPOSITORY
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy-proposed main restricted universe multiverse
Now save and close the file, and then reload new source list using the following command
sudo apt-get update
If that command runs with no errors, then you have successfully enabled the universe and multiverse repositories.
If you want to be notified the next time we write something please subscribe to our RSS feed.Thanks for Visiting!
June 4th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I would’nt recommend to enable proposed repositories
June 4th, 2008 at 9:53 am
As a sidenote, make sure the ‘installable from CD-ROM’ box isn’t ticked…otherwise the system gives you an error as it can’t find the Live CD.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Hello, I hope I’ll pass censorship this time
M. Moderator, you seem to lack understanding of the very core of your “job”: keeping the forums READABLE, trying to avoir cluttering of the forums with everlasting stuff (such as, while being a sincere proof of righteousness from the author, the entry above).
Repeating the very same entries just by doing sed -e ’s/gutsy/hardy/g’ won’t deem it useful; on the contrary, it is plagiat. And keeping around 153 entries explaining the same thing is not what community had learned to do for 20 years. You do not seem to be aware of this kind of obvious things. It is a fact, Newbies can’t be of any help to anybody, and trying to let’em believe the contrary is a mistake.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
@regala
For you this is a repeated one and new users who is coming to our site for the first time this is very useful.We will provide tutorials for all levels of users
June 13th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Are there .sh scrips on “The Net” that can automatically enable repositories.
I might be useful for me and other people who has to install and configure Ubuntu a lot. Can someone give me some information about this?
June 26th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Thank you I was trying to update my ati drivers and i was told that I needed to enable to universe and mulituniverse in order to run the appropriate commands.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Yeeha, perfect howto for linux dummies like me! Thanks!!!
September 24th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Thanks
This was just what I needed
Keep up the goodwork
All
November 10th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I can’t find enough educational software for young children on the universe/multiverse repositories. Are they the only available repositories, or are there others available? Thanks!