Comment 5 for bug 138378

Similar problem:
Downloaded and installed lpr printer driver for Brother MFC8500. This is what happened:

rhett@AthlonXP2100:~$ sudo dpkg -i --force-all mfc8500lpr-1.1.2-1.i386.deb
(Reading database ... 88983 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace mfc8500lpr 1.1.2-1 (using mfc8500lpr-1.1.2-1.i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement mfc8500lpr ...
/var/lib/dpkg/info/mfc8500lpr.postrm: 3: /etc/init.d/lpd: not found
dpkg: warning - old post-removal script returned error exit status 127
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
/var/lib/dpkg/tmp.ci/postrm: 3: /etc/init.d/lpd: not found
dpkg: error processing mfc8500lpr-1.1.2-1.i386.deb (--install):
subprocess new post-removal script returned error exit status 127
/var/lib/dpkg/tmp.ci/postrm: 3: /etc/init.d/lpd: not found
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
subprocess post-removal script returned error exit status 127
Errors were encountered while processing:
mfc8500lpr-1.1.2-1.i386.deb

Now Package Manager is jamed;

"Could not initialize the package information
A unresolvable problem occurred while initializing the package information.
Please report this bug against the 'update-manager' package and include the following error message:
'E:The package mfc8500lpr needs to be reinstalled, but I can't find an archive for it.'"

I have removed the driver from my desktop and attempted to remove the package;

"if your package manager gets stuck all you need so is delete the offending deb from /var/cache/apt/archives"
There is no archive for it there...I think this is part of the problem.

I searched for any mfc8500lpr files on my computer to delete but there were none.

"sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq mfc8500lpr"
It did attempt to remove, with errors (I did not get to save the verbose) but I am still getting a jammed package manger with the same warning as above.

When I run the same command sentence again, this happens;
rhett@AthlonXP2100:~$ sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq mfc8500lpr
[sudo] password for rhett:
dpkg - warning, overriding problem because --force enabled:
 Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
 reinstall it before attempting a removal.
(Reading database ... 88969 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing mfc8500lpr ...
/var/lib/dpkg/info/mfc8500lpr.postrm: 3: /etc/init.d/lpd: not found
dpkg: error processing mfc8500lpr (--remove):
 subprocess post-removal script returned error exit status 127
Errors were encountered while processing:
 mfc8500lpr

Obviously, no printing.

This started by trying to install printer (Brother MFC 8500) in Printer Manager with a CUPS driver. It recognizes my printer, suggests a driver (something other than 8500) and completes. Then, nothing prints. It sends documents to the que and my printer says it is communicating with the PC and then everything stops. Que goes blank, printer goes back to normal, nothing prints.
So I went to Brother and downloaded the driver and instructions, EVERYTHING related to this driver install, installed the lpr driver and now I am at this point.
I have installed and re-installed my OS and tried this many different ways and have the same results.
Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon