When I update my ubuntu 11.10,I meet this problem,like following:
"Items cannot be installed or removed until the package catalog is repaired" and appear a little window.I click repaire,it shows the note"the installation or removal of a software package failed".
I google on Internet,I find following sovle method,you need execuse these command on Terminal:
sudo apt-get install -f
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
At last ,you should use "sudo apt-get update" and "sudo ldconfig".