package samba 2:3.5.8~dfsg-1ubuntu2.3 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: package samba is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')

[Adrian Smith]

Ubuntu installed & upgraded since 2007 or so. Samba used to work fine, to share a Public folder.
Now it complains (can't install) on upgrade to Oneiric.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10
Package: samba 2:3.5.8~dfsg-1ubuntu2.3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-12.51-generic 2.6.38.8
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-12-generic i686
ApportVersion: 1.23-0ubuntu3
Architecture: i386
Date: Sun Oct 16 01:40:53 2011
ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: package samba is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')
NmbdLog:

OtherFailedConnect: Yes
SambaServerRegression: Yes
SmbConfIncluded: Yes
SmbLog:

SourcePackage: samba
Title: package samba 2:3.5.8~dfsg-1ubuntu2.3 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: package samba is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to oneiric on 2011-10-15 (0 days ago)