org-mode broken dynamic clock: Symbol's function definition is void: org-defvaralias

Question

For months I've been enjoying use of the org dynamic clock block (C-c C-x C-r) to help with my hour clocking. Suddenly I find it's not working, though. The only things I've changed is downloading the list-packages org-contrib and org-mode.

M-x org-version

Org-mode version 7.8.11

Attempt to update/add dynamic block (C-c C-x C-r)

Symbol's function definition is void: org-defvaralias

I tried to do manual execution of defuns in some of the org .el files, but that just made things worse. Any suggestions on the cleanest way to fix this?

I actually can't even clock-in anymore, with the same error.

I have verified that this is a result of the org-contrib install from ELPA, which seems to break it. This is sad, since I was putting good use to other org-contrib files.

Answer 1

I finally got around to fixing this. The key resource was http://orgmode.org/manual/Installation.html, and the solution boils down to two things I was doing wrong when I tried to install through the list-packages:

• Remember to start have emacs running without having opened ANY org files or org-config settings. Best way to do this is M-xkill-emacs and start again with emacs -q.

• Add to the top of your .emacs file:

;; Configure before loading org mode (package-initialize)  
(package-initialize)

I've written a little more about it here.

Answer 2

I don't know if that helps, but you could try:

M-x load-library RET org-compat RET.

Even if it works, this is not the solution, simply an ugly workaround.

Try asking your question on the orgmode mailing list, it gets more audience there.