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')

[Robert Drury]

During install from Ubuntu 10.10 to Ubuntu 11.10 taking 8 hrs in the process.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10
Package: samba 2:3.5.8~dfsg-1ubuntu2.3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-11.50-generic 2.6.38.8
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-11-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
ApportVersion: 1.23-0ubuntu4
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Nov 3 02:14:01 2011
ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: package samba is not ready for configuration cannot configure (current status `half-installed')
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.10 "Maverick Meerkat" - Release amd64 (20101007)
RelatedPackageVersions:
 nautilus 1:3.2.1-0ubuntu2
 gvfs 1.10.0-0ubuntu1
SambaClientRegression: Yes
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 2011-11-02 (0 days ago)