package python3 3.10.6-1~22.04 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[Nhamo Mtetwa]

I can nolonger launch a terminal on my ubuntu 20.04 desktop

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
Package: python3 3.10.6-1~22.04
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.2.0-31.31~22.04.1-generic 6.2.15
Uname: Linux 6.2.0-31-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_modeset nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.5
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: unknown
Date: Fri Mar 8 16:10:54 2024
DuplicateSignature:
 package:python3:3.10.6-1~22.04
 Unpacking virtualbox (6.1.50-dfsg-1~ubuntu1.22.04.1) over (6.1.38-dfsg-3~ubuntu1.22.04.1) ...
 dpkg: error processing package python3 (--configure):
  package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-07-11 (1336 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200423)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.10, Python 3.10.12, python3-minimal, 3.10.6-1~22.04
PythonDetails: N/A
RebootRequiredPkgs: Error: path contained symlinks.
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.21.1ubuntu2.3
 apt 2.4.11
SourcePackage: python3-defaults
Title: package python3 3.10.6-1~22.04 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to jammy on 2022-12-31 (433 days ago)

[Nhamo Mtetwa (nhamo)]

Terminal not launching on Ubuntu 20.04

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.