package cups-bsd 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[William Ryan]

I am attempting to install Zoom onto my laptop. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
Package: cups-bsd 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.15.0-83.92~20.04.1-generic 5.15.116
Uname: Linux 5.15.0-83-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.27
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
CupsErrorLog:

Date: Sun Sep 17 20:37:58 2023
DpkgHistoryLog:
 Start-Date: 2023-09-17 20:37:00
 Requested-By: ned_land (1000)
 Install: libgcc1:amd64 (1:10.5.0-1ubuntu1~20.04)
 Upgrade: libwebp6:amd64 (0.6.1-2ubuntu0.20.04.2, 0.6.1-2ubuntu0.20.04.3), libcups2:amd64 (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4, 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5), cups-server-common:amd64 (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4, 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5), libwebpdemux2:amd64 (0.6.1-2ubuntu0.20.04.2, 0.6.1-2ubuntu0.20.04.3), cups-ppdc:amd64 (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4, 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5), firefox-locale-en:amd64 (117.0+build2-0ubuntu0.20.04.1, 117.0.1+build2-0ubuntu0.20.04.1), libflac8:amd64 (1.3.3-1ubuntu0.1, 1.3.3-1ubuntu0.2), cups-daemon:amd64 (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4, 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5), cups:amd64 (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4, 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5), cups-client:amd64 (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4, 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5)
DuplicateSignature:
 package:cups-bsd:2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5
 Setting up cups (2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5) ...
 Updating PPD files for cups ...
 dpkg: error processing package cups-bsd (--configure):
  package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-09-07 (1105 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200731)
Lpstat: device for HP_OfficeJet_Pro_6970_BE52B8_: implicitclass://HP_OfficeJet_Pro_6970_BE52B8_/
MachineType: LENOVO 80XS
Papersize: letter
PpdFiles: HP_OfficeJet_Pro_6970_BE52B8_: HP OfficeJet Pro 6970, driverless, cups-filters 1.27.4
ProcCmdline: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.15.0-83-generic root=UUID=7dbb25c2-5410-4536-83ab-b1e2505c1318 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.15.0-83-generic root=UUID=7dbb25c2-5410-4536-83ab-b1e2505c1318 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.8, Python 3.8.10, python3-minimal, 3.8.2-0ubuntu2
PythonDetails: N/A
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.7ubuntu3.2
 apt 2.0.9
SourcePackage: cups
Title: package cups-bsd 2.3.1-9ubuntu1.5 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 07/13/2017
dmi.bios.release: 1.18
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: 5QCN18WW
dmi.board.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: LNVNB161216
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: SDK0J40700WIN
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: Lenovo ideapad 320-15ABR
dmi.ec.firmware.release: 1.18
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvr5QCN18WW:bd07/13/2017:br1.18:efr1.18:svnLENOVO:pn80XS:pvrLenovoideapad320-15ABR:rvnLENOVO:rnLNVNB161216:rvrSDK0J40700WIN:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrLenovoideapad320-15ABR:skuLENOVO_MT_80XS_BU_idea_FM_ideapad320-15ABR:
dmi.product.family: ideapad 320-15ABR
dmi.product.name: 80XS
dmi.product.sku: LENOVO_MT_80XS_BU_idea_FM_ideapad 320-15ABR
dmi.product.version: Lenovo ideapad 320-15ABR
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Erich Eickmeyer (eeickmeyer)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better.

Bug reporting is about finding & fixing problems thus preventing future users from hitting the same bug.

I suspect a support site would be more appropriate, eg. https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu. You can also find help with your problem in the support forum of your local Ubuntu community http://loco.ubuntu.com/ or asking at https://askubuntu.com or https://ubuntuforums.org, or for more support options please look at https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/community-support/709.

As such, this bug has been closed and turned into a question.