package dpkg 1.17.5ubuntu5.5 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[Etienne Ruedin]

Lubuntu 14.04.4 LTS

I wanted to update the Kernel with the Software Centre. It was aborted with this error.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: dpkg 1.17.5ubuntu5.5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-61.100-generic 3.13.11-ckt22
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-61-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.11
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sat Mar 5 18:59:13 2016
DuplicateSignature: package:dpkg:1.17.5ubuntu5.5:package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-08-13 (935 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Lubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130423.1)
SourcePackage: dpkg
Title: package dpkg 1.17.5ubuntu5.5 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-04-24 (681 days ago)