Comment 20 for bug 1851573

Hmmm, at a loss. Created 2 VMs, one as control but with a root access user, the other standard but using sudo - E to install kde.

Both gave the same error when attempting to install anything from the software manager (strangely, synaptic is never an issue).

Thought it was XDG_CONFIG_HOME as it wasn't set for some reason - set it - no change, although when queried (echo XDG_CONFIG_HOME) it shows correctly after being set.

When file is manually created at /.config/defconf-kde-helperrc and permissions are set, the error is gone (no need for logoff). I do notice that installations seem to "pause" now, although maybe that's just in my head. Seems resolved after setting owner and group the same (username for both).

Of note - issue doesn't occur until kde is started. Can install kde but as long as the plasma desktop isn't started, no error. Once the plasma desktop is used, will get error on any display manager.

Anyway - I'm done. Fixed with /.config/debconf-kde-helperrc file creation and permissions setting. I'm a rank amateur with this - think we are on the right track but it'll likely take someone else to find an elegant solution or heck...a patch for the program?