Fix the Problem with MergeList

From: http://forum.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=156731

I have a just new linux mint installation and got an error trying to start Synaptic Package Manager:
---------------------------
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: h /var/lib/apt/lists/packages.linuxmint.com_dists_petra_import_i18n_Translation-en
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

I've had this error on numerous occassions this year (2014). After reading the reply and guessing at the action needed to fix it - stabbing at buttons in desperation - it's been fixed - I think.

In System Settings | System Administration | Software Sources | Maintenance, I hit "Fix MergeList problem" and "Purge Residual configuration" buttons then "Update Cache List". No idea what I was doing but it's working at last!