Problems installing software and/or updates. Heron version 8.04

[Derek Broughton]

Glenn wrote:

> Hello friends,
> 
> When trying to install software using "update manager" or "add/remove" I
> get the following error:
> 
> E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a" to
> correct the problem.
> E: _cache->open()failed, please report.
> 
> Any help is much appreciated.

Why do we get this question so often?  Why don't people just follow the
instruction?

[and why, for that matter, doesn't update-manager run the command itself
when it knows it's necessary]
-- 
derek