Debconf probs

[noo_b_nomnoms]

Hi! People who know me call me "Idjit", and I don't mind.
I was browsing the Sid package lists looking for a suitable dvd ripper, got bored, and decided to just browse in general.
I came upon a wm called Muffin, checked out their website, and decided if it was good enough for Gnome and Cinnamon, why not give it a spin?
I sudo apt-get install'ed it, and my Debconf has been FUBAR'd ever since.
Being a right and proper idjit- and knowing absolutely ZED about Perl, I decided to fire up my trusty Geany and fix it meself, with predictable results.
My question- is there a Question.pm script that I can just copy to that file? And is there also a Config.pm script that I can copy?
Or do I STFU, GTFO, and just reinstall?
I do apologise for this. I hate looking stupid, but I really have this thing set up like I wanted, and I really don't want to start all over unless there is no other choice,

[machinebacon]

Hello,
not really idjit, because this sounds like you got in some kind of dependency hell.

Can you do/provide the following:

sudo apt-get install -f
sudo dpkg-reconfigure muffin
cat /var/log/apt/history.log

so that we see what is going on in debconf land.

[rhowaldt]

^^ either i'm too stoned or that post is the vaguest ever. or both.

[removed semi-intelligent support questions in favor of bacon's actual proper support questions]

[machinebacon]

^ yes :D

[noo_b_nomnoms]

Code: Select all

Start-Date: 2016-01-01  13:31:22
Commandline: apt-get install faac
Install: libfaac0:i386 (1.28+cvs20151130-1, automatic), faac:i386 (1.28+cvs20151130-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-01  13:31:29

Start-Date: 2016-01-01  13:45:19
Commandline: apt-get install disk-manager
Install: python-glade2:i386 (2.24.0-4, automatic), disk-manager:i386 (1.1.1-2)
Upgrade: python-gtk2:i386 (2.24.0-3+b1, 2.24.0-4)
End-Date: 2016-01-01  13:45:30

Start-Date: 2016-01-01  15:20:43
Commandline: apt-get remove disk-manager
Remove: disk-manager:i386 (1.1.1-2)
End-Date: 2016-01-01  15:21:07

Start-Date: 2016-01-01  15:39:00
Commandline: apt-get autoremove
Remove: python3-markupsafe:i386 (0.23-2+b1), gir1.2-rb-3.0:i386 (3.2.1-1), gir1.2-peas-1.0:i386 (1.16.0-1), python-glade2:i386 (2.24.0-4), libquvi-scripts:i386 (0.4.21-2), libgrilo-0.2-1:i386 (0.2.14-1), gir1.2-gst-plugins-base-1.0:i386 (1.6.2-1), libgmime-2.6-0:i386 (2.6.20-1+b1), python3-mako:i386 (1.0.3+ds1-1), gir1.2-soup-2.4:i386 (2.52.2-1), gir1.2-javascriptcoregtk-3.0:i386 (2.4.9-3), libpeas-1.0-0:i386 (1.16.0-1), libclutter-gtk-1.0-0:i386 (1.6.6-1), libarchive13:i386 (3.1.2-11+b1), media-player-info:i386 (22-2), gir1.2-freedesktop:i386 (1.46.0-3), gir1.2-gstreamer-1.0:i386 (1.6.2-1), libstdc++-4.8-dev:i386 (4.8.2-19), rhythmbox-data:i386 (3.2.1-1), libcogl-pango20:i386 (1.22.0-1), g++-4.8:i386 (4.8.2-19), libclutter-1.0-0:i386 (1.24.2-1), gir1.2-gtk-3.0:i386 (3.18.6-1), libpeas-common:i386 (1.16.0-1), libcogl20:i386 (1.22.0-1), gir1.2-atk-1.0:i386 (2.18.0-1), gir1.2-gdkpixbuf-2.0:i386 (2.32.3-1), gir1.2-pango-1.0:i386 (1.38.1-1), libgpgme11:i386 (1.6.0-1), libpython3.4:i386 (3.4.4-1), libcogl-path20:i386 (1.22.0-1), libdmapsharing-3.0-2:i386 (2.9.32-1), libtotem-plparser18:i386 (3.10.6-1), gir1.2-webkit-3.0:i386 (2.4.9-3), libavahi-glib1:i386 (0.6.32~rc+dfsg-1), gir1.2-gnomekeyring-1.0:i386 (3.12.0-1+b1), libquvi7:i386 (0.4.1-3), gir1.2-secret-1:i386 (0.18.3-1), python3-gi:i386 (3.18.2-2), librhythmbox-core9:i386 (3.2.1-1), libgpod4:i386 (0.8.3-5), gthumb-data:i386 (3.4.1-2), libtotem-plparser-common:i386 (3.10.6-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-01  15:39:25

Start-Date: 2016-01-05  14:53:01
Commandline: apt-get install edisplay
Install: edisplay:i386 (0.9.1-9+b2), libopenexr6v5:i386 (1.6.1-8.1+b2, automatic), libilmbase6v5:i386 (1.0.1-6.2, automatic)
End-Date: 2016-01-05  14:53:15

Start-Date: 2016-01-05  14:58:53
Commandline: apt-get install eom
Install: eom-common:i386 (1.10.4-1, automatic), eom:i386 (1.10.4-1), libmate-desktop-2-17:i386 (1.10.2-1, automatic), mate-desktop-common:i386 (1.10.2-1, automatic)
End-Date: 2016-01-05  14:59:08

Start-Date: 2016-01-05  15:02:28
Commandline: apt-get install feh
Upgrade: feh:i386 (2.9.3-3, 2.14-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-05  15:02:37

Start-Date: 2016-01-05  15:04:08
Commandline: apt-get install geeqie
Install: geeqie-common:i386 (1.2.2-2, automatic), geeqie:i386 (1.2.2-2)
End-Date: 2016-01-05  15:04:19

Start-Date: 2016-01-06  13:15:04
Commandline: apt-get install freetuxtv
Install: freetuxtv:i386 (0.6.6~dfsg1-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-06  13:15:35

Start-Date: 2016-01-06  13:17:31
Commandline: apt-get install dvdbackup
Install: dvdbackup:i386 (0.4.2-4)
End-Date: 2016-01-06  13:17:38

Start-Date: 2016-01-06  13:26:25
Commandline: apt-get install cmatrix
Install: cmatrix:i386 (1.2a-5+b1)
End-Date: 2016-01-06  13:26:49

Start-Date: 2016-01-06  14:06:10
Commandline: apt-get install mutter
Install: mutter-common:i386 (3.18.2-1, automatic), libcogl-pango20:i386 (1.22.0-1, automatic), libclutter-1.0-0:i386 (1.24.2-1, automatic), libcogl20:i386 (1.22.0-1, automatic), libcogl-path20:i386 (1.22.0-1, automatic), libmutter0g:i386 (3.18.2-1, automatic), mutter:i386 (3.18.2-1)
Upgrade: libwayland-server0:i386 (1.4.0-1, 1.9.0-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-06  14:06:29

Start-Date: 2016-01-06  14:11:35
Commandline: apt-get install cinnamon
Install: gir1.2-notify-0.7:i386 (0.7.6-2, automatic), gir1.2-upowerglib-1.0:i386 (0.99.3-1+b2, automatic), gir1.2-javascriptcoregtk-4.0:i386 (2.10.4+dfsg1-1, automatic), libnm0:i386 (1.0.10-1, automatic), apg:i386 (2.2.3.dfsg.1-2, automatic), cinnamon:i386 (2.6.13-1), libcinnamon-desktop4:i386 (2.6.5-1, automatic), gir1.2-webkit2-4.0:i386 (2.10.4+dfsg1-1, automatic), gir1.2-gdesktopenums-3.0:i386 (3.18.1-1, automatic), libmuffin0:i386 (2.6.1-3, automatic), libmm-glib0:i386 (1.4.12-1, automatic), python-dbus:i386 (1.2.0-2+b4, automatic), python-pyatspi:i386 (2.18.0+dfsg-3, automatic), gnome-themes-standard:i386 (3.18.0-2, automatic), gir1.2-clutter-1.0:i386 (1.24.2-1, automatic), cinnamon-settings-daemon:i386 (2.6.3-2, automatic), cinnamon-control-center:i386 (2.6.0-2, automatic), libmozjs-24-0:i386 (24.2.0-3, automatic), gir1.2-soup-2.4:i386 (2.52.2-1, automatic), cinnamon-common:i386 (2.6.13-1, automatic), gir1.2-javascriptcoregtk-3.0:i386 (2.4.9-3, automatic), nemo:i386 (2.6.7-1, automatic), python-pam:i386 (0.4.2-13.2, automatic), gir1.2-caribou-1.0:i386 (0.4.19-1, automatic), python-pyinotify:i386 (0.9.5-1, automatic), gir1.2-json-1.0:i386 (1.0.4-2, automatic), libglew1.13:i386 (1.13.0-2, automatic), libmozjs185-1.0:i386 (1.8.5-1.0.0+dfsg-4.5, automatic), libclutter-gtk-1.0-0:i386 (1.6.6-1, automatic), libcaribou-common:i386 (0.4.19-1, automatic), gir1.2-meta-muffin-0.0:i386 (2.6.1-3, automatic), gnome-icon-theme-symbolic:i386 (3.12.0-1, automatic), python-gi-cairo:i386 (3.18.2-2, automatic), gir1.2-freedesktop:i386 (1.46.0-3, automatic), libcjs0:i386 (2.6.2-1, automatic), gir1.2-atspi-2.0:i386 (2.18.3-3, automatic), libwebpmux1:i386 (0.4.4-1+b1, automatic), cinnamon-session:i386 (2.6.3-2, automatic), python-pil:i386 (3.0.0-1, automatic), libnm-gtk0:i386 (1.0.10-1, automatic), gir1.2-networkmanager-1.0:i386 (1.0.10-1, automatic), cinnamon-session-common:i386 (2.6.3-2, automatic), cinnamon-screensaver:i386 (2.6.4-2, automatic), policykit-1-gnome:i386 (0.105-2, automatic), python-ptyprocess:i386 (0.5-1, automatic), cups-pk-helper:i386 (0.2.5-2+b1, automatic), muffin-common:i386 (2.6.1-3, automatic), gir1.2-gtk-3.0:i386 (3.18.6-1, automatic), libwebpdemux1:i386 (0.4.4-1+b1, automatic), libcinnamon-menu-3-0:i386 (2.6.0-2, automatic), cjs:i386 (2.6.2-1, automatic), gir1.2-cogl-1.0:i386 (1.22.0-1, automatic), libgnomekbd8:i386 (3.6.0-1, automatic), python-pexpect:i386 (4.0.1-1, automatic), libgnomekbd-common:i386 (3.6.0-1, automatic), mesa-utils:i386 (8.3.0-1, automatic), libnm-glib-vpn1:i386 (1.0.10-1, automatic), gir1.2-atk-1.0:i386 (2.18.0-1, automatic), gir1.2-gdkpixbuf-2.0:i386 (2.32.3-1, automatic), nemo-data:i386 (2.6.7-1, automatic), gir1.2-pango-1.0:i386 (1.38.1-1, automatic), libkeybinder-3.0-0:i386 (0.3.1-1, automatic), gnome-backgrounds:i386 (3.18.0-1, automatic), cinnamon-desktop-data:i386 (2.6.5-1, automatic), gnome-icon-theme:i386 (3.12.0-1, automatic), libatk-adaptor:i386 (2.18.1-1, automatic), accountsservice:i386 (0.6.40-3, automatic), gir1.2-cinnamondesktop-3.0:i386 (2.6.5-1, automatic), gir1.2-keybinder-3.0:i386 (0.3.1-1, automatic), libaccountsservice0:i386 (0.6.40-3, automatic), gnome-themes-standard-data:i386 (3.18.0-2, automatic), python-lxml:i386 (3.5.0-1, automatic), gir1.2-webkit-3.0:i386 (2.4.9-3, automatic), gkbd-capplet:i386 (3.6.0-1, automatic), libgail-common:i386 (2.24.29-1, automatic), caribou:i386 (0.4.19-1, automatic), gir1.2-gtkclutter-1.0:i386 (1.6.6-1, automatic), libnm-gtk-common:i386 (1.0.10-1, automatic), python-dbus-dev:i386 (1.2.0-2, automatic), gir1.2-accountsservice-1.0:i386 (0.6.40-3, automatic), gir1.2-polkit-1.0:i386 (0.112-5.1, automatic), libcaribou0:i386 (0.4.19-1, automatic), policykit-1:i386 (0.112-5.1, automatic), gir1.2-cmenu-3.0:i386 (2.6.0-2, automatic), gir1.2-gconf-2.0:i386 (3.2.6-3, automatic), libcinnamon-control-center1:i386 (2.6.0-2, automatic), libgail18:i386 (2.24.29-1, automatic), cinnamon-control-center-data:i386 (2.6.0-2, automatic), gir1.2-coglpango-1.0:i386 (1.22.0-1, automatic), python-imaging:i386 (3.0.0-1, automatic), libnemo-extension1:i386 (2.6.7-1, automatic), gir1.2-xkl-1.0:i386 (5.2.1-1, automatic), gir1.2-gnomedesktop-3.0:i386 (3.18.2-1, automatic), python-gconf:i386 (2.28.1+dfsg-1.1, automatic), gir1.2-gkbd-3.0:i386 (3.6.0-1, automatic)
Upgrade: libgtk2.0-0:i386 (2.24.23-1, 2.24.29-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-06  14:13:59

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  08:53:10
Commandline: apt-get install blackbox-themes
Install: blackbox-themes:i386 (0.5)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  08:53:17

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  09:01:01
Commandline: apt-get install cream
Install: libexporter-tiny-perl:i386 (0.042-1, automatic), libapt-pkg5.0:i386 (1.1.10, automatic), perl-modules-5.22:i386 (5.22.1-3, automatic), ruby-minitest:i386 (5.8.3-1, automatic), cream:i386 (0.43-3), ruby-power-assert:i386 (0.2.6-1, automatic), ruby-test-unit:i386 (3.1.5-1, automatic), libapt-inst2.0:i386 (1.1.10, automatic), vim-gtk:i386 (7.4.963-1+b1, automatic), vim-gui-common:i386 (7.4.963-1, automatic), libperl5.22:i386 (5.22.1-3, automatic), libruby2.2:i386 (2.2.3-2, automatic), libval14:i386 (2.0-4, automatic)
Upgrade: vim-runtime:i386 (7.4.253-1, 7.4.963-1), libselinux1:i386 (2.2.2-1, 2.4-3), libmouse-perl:i386 (2.1.0-1, 2.4.5-1+b1), apt:i386 (1.0.1, 1.1.10), perl:i386 (5.18.2-2+b1, 5.22.1-3), libtext-charwidth-perl:i386 (0.04-7+b2, 0.04-7+b4), libxml-libxml-perl:i386 (2.0108+dfsg-1, 2.0123+dfsg-1+b1), dpkg:i386 (1.17.6, 1.18.4), libfile-fnmatch-perl:i386 (0.02-2, 0.02-2+b2), libtext-iconv-perl:i386 (1.7-5+b1, 1.7-5+b3), perl-base:i386 (5.18.2-2+b1, 5.22.1-3), libclass-methodmaker-perl:i386 (2.21-1, 2.24-1+b1), apt-utils:i386 (1.0.1, 1.1.10), libhtml-parser-perl:i386 (3.71-1+b1, 3.71-2+b1), libio-pty-perl:i386 (1.08-1+b3, 1.08-1.1+b1), libapt-pkg-perl:i386 (0.1.29+b1, 0.1.29+b5), libsys-cpu-perl:i386 (0.61-1, 0.61-1+b2), liblist-moreutils-perl:i386 (0.33-2, 0.413-1+b1), vim-common:i386 (7.4.253-1, 7.4.963-1+b1), vim:i386 (7.4.253-1, 7.4.963-1+b1), libterm-readkey-perl:i386 (2.31-1, 2.33-1+b1), irssi:i386 (0.8.15-5+b1, 0.8.17-1+b2), liblocale-gettext-perl:i386 (1.05-8, 1.07-1+b1), libcurses-perl:i386 (1.28-2, 1.33-1+b1), libnet-ssleay-perl:i386 (1.58-1, 1.72-1+b2)
Remove: perl-modules:i386 (5.18.2-2), libperl5.18:i386 (5.18.2-2+b1)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  09:04:42

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  09:08:52
Commandline: apt-get install desktop-base
Install: desktop-base:i386 (8.0.2)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  09:10:21

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  09:10:58
Commandline: apt-get install desktop-profiles
Install: desktop-profiles:i386 (1.4.20)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  09:11:41

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  09:19:06
Commandline: apt-get install cream-melange
Install: python-gpyconf:i386 (0.2-1, automatic), python-cream:i386 (0.5.3-1, automatic), libjs-mootools:i386 (1.4.5~debian1-2.1, automatic), cream-melange:i386 (0.5.2-2), python-cream.melange:i386 (0.5.2-2, automatic)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  09:19:56

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  10:17:07
Commandline: apt-get install mutter
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  10:17:24

Start-Date: 2016-01-07  10:48:09
Commandline: apt-get install gpodder
Install: python-feedparser:i386 (5.1.3-3, automatic), libjs-jquery-mobile:i386 (1.2.0+dfsg-2, automatic), gpodder:i386 (3.8.5-1), python-mygpoclient:i386 (1.7-1, automatic)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-07  10:48:47

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  12:07:30
Commandline: apt-get install cream-melange
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  12:07:56

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  12:11:23
Commandline: apt-get purge
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  12:11:40

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  12:27:46
Commandline: apt-get install icewm-themes
Install: icewm-themes:i386 (1.2.26-2)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  12:28:41

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  12:38:44
Commandline: apt-get remove initramfs-tools
Remove: linux-image-3.12-8.towo-siduction-686:i386 (3.12-10), initramfs-tools:i386 (0.115), live-boot:i386 (4.0~alpha21-1), live-boot-initramfs-tools:i386 (4.0~alpha21-1)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  12:39:18

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  12:48:34
Commandline: apt-get -f install
Install: liblvm2app2.2:i386 (2.02.138-1, automatic), initramfs-tools:i386 (0.120+nmu1, automatic)
Upgrade: liblvm2cmd2.02:i386 (2.02.104-2, 2.02.138-1), lvm2:i386 (2.02.104-2, 2.02.138-1), cryptsetup:i386 (1.6.4-4, 1.7.0-1), libdevmapper1.02.1:i386 (1.02.83-2, 1.02.114-1), libdevmapper-event1.02.1:i386 (1.02.83-2, 1.02.114-1), dmsetup:i386 (1.02.83-2, 1.02.114-1), dmeventd:i386 (1.02.83-2, 1.02.114-1)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  12:49:43

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  14:08:56
Commandline: apt-get install conky-all
Install: libaudclient2:i386 (3.5~rc2-1, automatic), libxnvctrl0:i386 (340.93-1, automatic), libxmmsclient6:i386 (0.8+dfsg-14+b3, automatic), conky-all:i386 (1.10.1-3)
Remove: conky-std:i386 (1.10.1-2)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  14:09:53

Start-Date: 2016-01-08  19:33:07
Commandline: apt-get install hedgewars
Install: fonts-wqy-zenhei:i386 (0.9.45-6, automatic), libqt4-network:i386 (4.8.7+dfsg-5, automatic), qtcore4-l10n:i386 (4.8.7+dfsg-5, automatic), libsdl-net1.2:i386 (1.2.8-4, automatic), hedgewars-data:i386 (0.9.22-dfsg-3, automatic), freeglut3:i386 (2.8.1-2, automatic), libmng1:i386 (1.0.10+dfsg-3.1+b3, automatic), libqt4-xml:i386 (4.8.7+dfsg-5, automatic), ttf-wqy-zenhei:i386 (0.9.45-6, automatic), libqtcore4:i386 (4.8.7+dfsg-5, automatic), libqtdbus4:i386 (4.8.7+dfsg-5, automatic), hedgewars:i386 (0.9.22-dfsg-3), libqtgui4:i386 (4.8.7+dfsg-5, automatic), libphysfs1:i386 (2.0.3-3, automatic)
End-Date: 2016-01-08  19:35:18

Start-Date: 2016-01-09  08:31:53
Commandline: apt-get install atanks
Install: atanks:i386 (6.0~dfsg-1+b2), liballegro4.4:i386 (4.4.2-7, automatic), atanks-data:i386 (6.0~dfsg-1, automatic)
End-Date: 2016-01-09  08:32:39

Start-Date: 2016-01-09  08:48:34
Commandline: apt-get remove hedgewars
Remove: hedgewars:i386 (0.9.22-dfsg-3)
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-09  08:48:38

Start-Date: 2016-01-09  08:56:42
Commandline: apt-get install atanks
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-09  08:56:44

Start-Date: 2016-01-09  09:07:17
Commandline: apt-get install atanks
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-09  09:07:19

Start-Date: 2016-01-09  09:11:28
Commandline: apt-get install atanks
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-09  09:11:30

Start-Date: 2016-01-09  11:23:48
Commandline: apt-get install -f
Error: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
End-Date: 2016-01-09  11:23:51

[noo_b_nomnoms]

and NOW I see it wasn't muffin. I tried to install the Debian desktop base_ which I must say had to be a very pointy-hat moment- and tada! I was wrong about the whole darned thing!
I guess I do need to reinstall, because trying to uninstall that will probably just deal the death , anyway.
Or will it?

[machinebacon]

you can uninstall desktop-base, it's just a metapackage:

user@grill:~$ depends desktop-base
desktop-base
PreDepends: dpkg
Depends: librsvg2-common
|Suggests: gnome
|Suggests: kde-standard
|Suggests: xfce4
Suggests: wmaker

Simply use the WM/DE you usually would use.

[machinebacon]

Okay I just read through the apt history, you can try

sudo dpkg --configure -a

first, then

sudo apt-get autoremove --purge && sudo apt-get autoclean && sudo apt-get clean && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -f

and pray :)

[noo_b_nomnoms]

Thanks! You are a lifesaver! I will try to clean it up, first. Then- if that fails- the other. I am sorry about the late reply. I drive trucks, and once my hands touch the steering wheel the handcuffs automaticaly lock them there until my drive time is up. lols, jk on the handcuffs, but the pressure to stay behind the wheel and keep rolling feels like that sometimes. I thank all of you for your patience!

[noo_b_nomnoms]

The Debconf problem is still there, but now I have xfce4 (maybe). I am just foing to have to figure out how to rewrite Debconf/Question.pm

[machinebacon]

Just get the sources.

https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt- ... ng.en.html

Briefly:

Code: Select all

sudo editor /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian
# uncomment the line that starts with deb-src and save it
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get source debconf
# extract with unp or any other extracting tool and get your Question.pm from there

Of course you can try simply reinstalling the binary:

Code: Select all

wget -c http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/d/debconf/debconf_1.5.58_all.deb && sudo dpkg -i debconf_1.5.58_all.deb

One of the two methods will work.

[machinebacon]

Addendum:

I would do both methods - first fix the borked file which prevents debconf to actually work, then reinstall debconf to make sure that there's no version conflict somewhere.

[noo_b_nomnoms]

Thanks, again! One of these days I will try to actually learn one of these languages, but, you know, old dogs...new tricks....When I was in college, the most avanced stuff around was Fortran and COBOL. I had problems with BASIC!

[noo_b_nomnoms]

This worked perfectly
wget -c http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/ma ... 58_all.deb && sudo dpkg -i debconf_1.5.58_all.deb
I ran an install of hedgewars- which was utter failure under the borked DebConf- and the install was smooth as silk, with the exception of these last lines:
push on reference is experimental at /usr/bin/adequate line 247.
keys on reference is experimental at /usr/bin/adequate line 931.
push on reference is experimental at /usr/bin/adequate line 247.
keys on reference is experimental at /usr/bin/adequate line 931.
I have no idea what this means, but at least there aren't any DebConf errors.
And it appears that xfce4 runs nicely on top of xfwm.
Much thanks, machinebacon!
Now I can get back to playing with all those neat window managers! (running Cream)

[darry1966]

Cream is good - great way to try different WMS:)

[noo_b_nomnoms]

Most of the time I have no idea what I am doing, which is sad because I have been an exclusive Linux user for the last twelve years. But I just keep plugging away at it! And BBQ is like a breath of fresh air! I've played with Fluxbox and Icewm in the past, but I have really been missing out on the fun by not checking out these other wms. Loving this!

[machinebacon]

push on reference is experimental at /usr/bin/adequate line XXX

these can be ignored, they are just warnings that come when the perl version is newer than 5.20 -- you can try sudo apt-get install --reinstall adequate, but actually it doesn't matter much.

Glad your problem is fixed.