I have downloaded a Non-free Deb pkg, when I tried to install it using "# dpkg -i pkgname", it appeared to install as expected. The pkg exists, I found the new directory and the executable file, but if I try to run it I get kicked out of my session, and back to GDM.

When I run "# dpkg -l pkgname", immediately after the install, I get this:
"un pkgname <none> (no description available)"

Since it is not installed I can not remove it, or reconfigure it.

I run Debian Testing with Openbox as my window manager.

Try # dpkg -l | grep packagename

apt-cache policy packagename

What package is it?

jheaton5 I tried that and it now shows the pkg as installed. (In my original command I used only a partial name, and that showed as uninstalled.)

craigevil I tried apt-cache policy varicad*, and got this mesg: W: Unable to locate package varicad*

the package is proprietary CAD program "Varicad", not available in the Debian repositories.

Is the package name 'varicad*' or 'varicad'?

varicad2008-en_3.00-1_i386.deb "dpkg -l" when it finds it, calls it varicad2008-en, the binary is /opt/Varicad/varicad, however there is a link, /usr/bin/varicad. The last time I did "apt-get update && apt-get upgrade", it failed, so I tried to remove it and reinstall, thats when it started to kill X and send me to Xdm. I cant afford to upgrade the pkg, so I am trying to use the pkg I own.
I appreciate the interest you are taking in my problem, and am hopeful that you can provide me with a solution, as soon as I can give you all the necessary information to troubleshoot.

I have done some experimenting and found that using partial pkgnames with a wildcard does not always work as expected. Executing both the commands recommended above with the full pkgname (varicad2008-en) shows the pkg is installed. This is the only pkg on my pc that is not installed with "apt-get install", or the latest installer CD.