Bug#830722: systemd: systemctl aborts with "No Such Method"

[Peter Gossner]

On Sun, 10 Jul 2016 22:04:14 +0200 Michael Biebl <biebl at debian.org>
wrote:
> Am 10.07.2016 um 21:26 schrieb Peter Gossner:
> > On Sun, 10 Jul 2016 21:05:13 +0200
> > Michael Biebl <biebl at debian.org> wrote:
> > 
> >> Am 10.07.2016 um 20:39 schrieb Peter Gossner:
> >>> Package: systemd
> >>> Version: 230-7
> >>> Severity: important
> >>>
> >>> Dear Maintainer,
> >>> Attempting to (re)understand systemd ...
> >>> ~$ systemctl
> >>> Failed to list units: No such method 'ListUnitsFiltered'
> >>>  other options also fail
> >>>  e.g.
> >>> sudo systemctl try-restart exim4
> >>> Failed to try-restart exim4.service: No such method
> >>> 'TryRestartUnit' See system logs and 'systemctl status
> >>> exim4.service' for details.
> >>>
> >>> I also see logind errors and have been having dbus session issues
> >>> which may all be related to a pam module.
> >>>
> >>> At other times systemd has attempted to rename network interfaces,
> >>> screw up diplay manager,  hang without console access , fail to
> >>> start real consoles at all  deep fry kittens ...    
> >>
> >> interesting
> >>
> >>> Init: sysvinit (via /sbin/init)  
> >>
> >> So, apparently you are still using sysvinit. Have you filed the bug
> >> report from a different system then the one you experience the
> >> problems?
> >>
> >> Michael
> >>
> >>
> > Sorry Michael this _is_ the same system,
> > I've probably failed to restore systemd after rolling back or
> > something.
> > (yes I can restart daemons with service foo or /etc/init.d )
> >  I'll attempt a reinstall (with no version restrictions) and see
> > what happens.
> 
> 
> Ok, then your problem is actually related to *not* having systemd as
> PID 1. To fix that, run "apt install systemd-sysv".
> 
> Regards,
> Michael
> 
> 
Did that and now systemd works as expected.
e.g.

3 [Tue Jul 12 12:48 AM] pete at mingus:~$ systemctl restart
exim4 ==== AUTHENTICATING FOR org.freedesktop.systemd1.manage-units ===
Authentication is required to restart 'exim4.service'.
Authenticating as: Peter Gossner,2000,, (pete)
Password: 
==== AUTHENTICATION COMPLETE ===


If there is a "bug" its in trying to roll back  and my misunderstanding
of the shim package.
As I didn't attempt to do the roll back with any intelligence, planning
or thought at all ... 
I will do nought but wonder how I got my system to that
situation. 

I do bend this system a lot its sort of a test bed.


 Thanks for _your help_.


> -- 
> Why is it that all of the instruments seeking intelligent life in the
> universe are pointed away from Earth?
> 




-- Peter Gossner <gossner at internode.on.net>
   Pete <pete.gossner at gmail.com>
Tue 12 Jul 00:52:41 ACST 2016
 "Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your
enemies." -- Nelson Mandela