package postgresql-8.4 8.4.13-0ubuntu11.04 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1

[Dermot Tynan]

% lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 11.04
Release: 11.04

% apt-cache policy postgresql
postgresql:
  Installed: 8.4.13-0ubuntu11.04
  Candidate: 8.4.13-0ubuntu11.04
  Version table:
 *** 8.4.13-0ubuntu11.04 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     8.4.8-0ubuntu0.11.04 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty/main amd64 Packages

apt-get install postgresql failed.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: postgresql-8.4 8.4.13-0ubuntu11.04
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-16.67-generic 2.6.38.8
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-16-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
AptOrdering:
 postgresql-8.4: Install
 postgresql: Install
 postgresql-8.4: Configure
 postgresql: Configure
Architecture: amd64
Date: Wed Sep 26 16:49:38 2012
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Release amd64 (20110427.1)
SourcePackage: postgresql-8.4
Title: package postgresql-8.4 8.4.13-0ubuntu11.04 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Dermot Tynan (dtynan)]

Turns out this was due (AFAIK) to a SHMMAX limit causing the install to fail. I guess the system (and I!) were too quick to report a bug. I bumped up SHMMAX and the install happened correctly.

Might be worth trying to improve the error quality on the install?