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ubuntugnupg

GPG error "Not enough random bytes available. Please do some other work to give the OS a chance to collect more"

I am using:

 gpg --gen-key

Is there a better way to create a PGP key? What does this program want? A fully slammed server?

Not enough random bytes available. Please do some other work to give the OS a chance to collect more

Solution

  • You can move your mouse around, browse the internet, play a game, leave your computer on overnight. There are many many ways to generate random bytes. You don't need to babysit the gpg process.

    EDIT: I should clarify: you don't need to pay attention or even type into the terminal that gpg is running in. (And it's a really bad idea to type into that terminal anyway.)

    If you're on a remote server, and cannot otherwise generate work, you can try this: http://packages.debian.org/squeeze/stress. Use caution, though.