package update-manager 1:0.93.32 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: SystemError in cache.commit(): E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1), E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

Binary package hint: update-manager

Attempt to upgrade Hardy Heron 8.04(2.6.24.21.43 through downloading Ibis 8.10 (gdu) failed at install stage. Package update-manager 1:0.93.32. Error Mesaage: "System Error in cache.commit(): ESub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned error code (1) "

I have been using Ubuntu Studio as my desktop. During the downloading phase I received the following Error Message: "An error occured while loading or saving configiuartion for front end. Some of your configuration settings may not work properly. Details: Failed to contact configuration sever; some possible causes are that you need to enable TCP/IP networks foe ORBIT, or you have stale NFS locks due to a system crash. See http://www.gnome.org/projects/gconf/ for information.
Details: 1. failed to get connection to session. Failed to connect to socket /tmp/dbus-gbQoP7Zgba. Connection refused."

During the installation phase and prior to the package manager error another error message informed me it couldn't do whatever it needed to to with the Ubuntu Studio Menu.

I expected to download and install 8.10 with no trouble, as I had done with 8,04. I hoped that8.10 would then be able to recognise and mount my USB connected external backup drive, something Gutsy was able to do but not Heron.

Last night I downloaded the package and this morning I left it to install. On checking at lunchtime I was horrified to find that my previous configurations hed been removed before the installation gave up the ghost.

Is there anything I can do to recover my previous set up and extremely precious data?

Thanking you in anticipation but little hope.

Phil Gorman - (elderly newbie)

ProblemType: Package
Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 8.10
ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: SystemError in cache.commit(): E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1), E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

Package: update-manager 1:0.93.32
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: update-manager
Title: package update-manager 1:0.93.32 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: SystemError in cache.commit(): E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1), E:Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
Uname: Linux 2.6.24-19-generic i686