OK so I found the problem with apt sources Debian tried the rm command and re-boot, this failed, after a few mins of head scratching went into software sources and changed the Debian mirror, started the process again, and WHALLA off she went 50 mins later I am now on LMDE6, there were a few problems with my upgrade [I needed to keep some depleted dependencies for my printer and other bits] , now need to run update+upgrade. That will only take a couple of minuets.