/var/lib/dpkg/status missing?

["Robert L. Harris" <Robert.L.Harris@rdlg.net>]

I'm building a new machine.  It crashed durring a dist-upgrade after
basic install and config.  I went to install gnome after it cleaned the
disks and it says it can't find /var/lib/dpkg/status.

Am I screwed or can this be rebuild somehow?



:wq!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert L. Harris                |  Micros~1 :  
Senior System Engineer          |    For when quality, reliability 
  at RnD Consulting             |      and security just aren't
                                \_       that important!
DISCLAIMER:
      These are MY OPINIONS ALONE.  I speak for no-one else.
FYI:
 perl -e 'print $i=pack(c5,(41*2),sqrt(7056),(unpack(c,H)-2),oct(115),10);'