package kdm (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Jack Leigh]

Binary package hint: kdebase-workspace

trying to remove configuration for uninstalled kdm package via Synaptic

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.10
Package: kdm (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.35-22.34-generic-pae 2.6.35.4
Uname: Linux 2.6.35-22-generic-pae i686
Architecture: i386
Date: Sun Oct 17 00:15:03 2010
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" - Release i386 (20091028.5)
SourcePackage: kdebase-workspace
Title: package kdm (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1

[mkuutti (martti)]

Happened to me also with 10.10 amd64, can remove package kdm but cannot purge. Seems that postrm script is trying to double-delete file /etc/init/kdm.conf:
(dpkg -P kdm output:)
...
rm: cannot remove `/etc/init/kdm.conf': No such file or directory
...

Even if I "sudo touch /etc/init/kdm.conf" it won't purge package.