update problem "Attribute error object has no attribute 'rsplit'

[russet]

Recently installed Fedora 11 from CD on eeepc900HA.
Update manager suggested 402 updates available.
trying to update I get the following traceback error report:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/share/PackageKit/helpers/yum/yumBackend.py", line 1830, in _runYumTransaction
rpmDisplay=rpmDisplay)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 3494, in processTransaction
pkgs = self._downloadPackages(callback)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 3518, in _downloadPackages
probs = self.downloadPkgs(dlpkgs)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 1275, in downloadPkgs
self.plugins.run('predownload', pkglist=pkglist)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/yum/plugins.py", line 179, in run
func(conduitcls(self, self.base, conf, **kwargs))
File "/usr/lib/yum-plugins/presto.py", line 577, in predownload_hook
(problems, more) = downloadPkgs(conduit, pinfo, download_pkgs)
File "/usr/lib/yum-plugins/presto.py", line 419, in downloadPkgs
cb.start(text="<delta rebuild>", size=rebuild_size)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/urlgrabber/progress.py", line 129, in start
self._do_start(now)
File "/usr/share/PackageKit/helpers/yum/yumBackend.py", line 2551, in _do_start
self.updateProgress(name, 0.0, "", "")
File "/usr/share/PackageKit/helpers/yum/yumBackend.py", line 2593, in updateProgress
pkg = self._getPackage(name)
File "/usr/share/PackageKit/helpers/yum/yumBackend.py", line 2534, in _getPackage
sections = name.rsplit('-', 2)
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'rsplit'

On trying this process a second time after having selected specific packages I noticed that a prepare machine for upgrade package (not selected by me) seemed to be where the process stalled.

Trying a third time with attempt to upgrade some (random) python packages I get the same result via a system/admin/upgrade or download software .

[JEO]

Open a terminal and try:

su -
yum clean all

yum update yum

yum update

[russet]

jeo thanks for that
yum cleanup worked fine.
unfortunately on return to the graphical interface and attempt the upgrades I got the same result as before
Is there a way to run the upgrades direct from console? Would this help?

[russet]

JEO
tried yum commands again in console as per your post and all worked smoothly.
many thanks