Software Center not opening in Linux Mint

Question

I'm a Linux Mint 14 user. I'm not able to open the software center.

$ software-center
ERROR:root:DebFileApplication import Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/init.py",
line 4, in from debfile import DebFileApplication, DebFileOpenError File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/debfile.py",
line 25, in from softwarecenter.db.application import Application, AppDetails File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/application.py",
line 27, in import softwarecenter.distro File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/distro/init.py",
line 197, in distro_instance = _get_distro() File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/distro/init.py",
line 172, in _get_distro module = import(distro_module_name, globals(), locals(), [], -1) ImportError: No module named linuxmint Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/bin/software-center",
line 128, in from softwarecenter.ui.gtk3.app import SoftwareCenterAppGtk3 File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/ui/gtk3/app.py",
line 53, in from softwarecenter.db.application import Application File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/db/application.py",
line 27, in import softwarecenter.distro File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/distro/init.py",
line 197, in distro_instance = _get_distro() File "/usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/distro/init.py",
line 172, in _get_distro module = import(distro_module_name, globals(), locals(), [], -1) ImportError: No module named linuxmint

Answer 1

(Tried to edit your question by placing the command output in a code block but the Community bot didn't like it.)

Mint uses mintInstall as Software Manager.

Using the Ubuntu software-center seems both hackish and prone for unknown repercussions. I'm perhaps missing something here.

A better option is probably to use synaptic.

---

Anyhow; one way could be:

(Tested on VirtualBox install of LinuxMint 14 KDE.)
(Note: I have no idea if this could mess up anything, if version detection is correct etc.)

1. Purge current install: sudo apt-get purge software-center

2. Fake Ubuntu: sudo vi/etc/lsb-release

   Change:
   DISTRIB_ID=LinuxMint
   to
   DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
   

3. Reinstall software-center: sudo apt-get install software-center

4. When done change DISTRIB_ID back to LinuxMint.
5. Open: sudo vi /usr/share/software-center/softwarecenter/distro/__init__.py
6. :set number<enter> if you do not have numbers.
7. Go to line 166.

8. Change:

     distro_id = distro_info[0]
     to
     distro_id = "Ubuntu"
   

   It is part of def get_distro()

(If you do not know vim use something else - or do this:)

---

1. Go to line :166<enter>
2. A to enter insert mode. (Append at end of line.)
3. Change line. If you want add # distro_info[0] on next line or something to have it there for reference.
4. Exit insert mode by ESC.
5. Write file by :w<enter>
6. Quit by :q<enter> (Or do 5 and 6 at once by :wq<enter>)

---

That should be it.