package gconf2 3.2.5-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script was killed by signal (Killed)

[tinay]

Every usage of dkpg or apt-get or the update manager ended in the terminal hanging at the line Setting gconf(2 3.2.5-0ubuntu2)

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: gconf2 3.2.5-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-27.46~precise1-generic 3.5.7.7
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-27-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu17.2
AptOrdering:
 gconf2: Install
 gconf2: Configure
 gstreamer0.10-gconf: Configure
 network-manager-gnome: Configure
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sat Apr 27 00:41:28 2013
DuplicateSignature:
 Setting up gconf2 (3.2.5-0ubuntu2) ...
 update-alternatives: using /usr/bin/gconftool-2 to provide /usr/bin/gconftool (gconftool) in auto mode.
 dpkg: error processing gconf2 (--configure):
  subprocess installed post-installation script was killed by signal (Killed)
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script was killed by signal (Killed)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release amd64 (20130213)
MarkForUpload: True
SourcePackage: gconf
Title: package gconf2 3.2.5-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script was killed by signal (Killed)
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)