package linux-image-3.13.0-40-generic 3.13.0-40.69 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2

[Ryan Jonathon Rahebi]

been having this erroor for months and i cannot clean out the /boot folder with the autoremove or clean commands :(

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: linux-image-3.13.0-40-generic 3.13.0-40.69
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-39.66-generic 3.13.11.8
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-39-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.6
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: me 2166 F.... pulseaudio
Date: Tue Jan 13 07:40:11 2015
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-08-21 (145 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-GNOME 14.04.1 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140722.2)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Inspiron 1545
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.13.0-39-generic root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--gnome--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
PulseList: Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
RelatedPackageVersions: grub-pc 2.02~beta2-9ubuntu1
SourcePackage: linux
Title: package linux-image-3.13.0-40-generic 3.13.0-40.69 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 2
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 12/07/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A14
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA14:bd12/07/2009:svnDellInc.:pnInspiron1545:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn:rvr:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr:
dmi.product.name: Inspiron 1545
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Seth Arnold (seth-arnold)]

Thank you for using Ubuntu and taking the time to report a bug. Your report should contain, at a minimum, the following information so we can better find the source of the bug and work to resolve it.

Submitting the bug about the proper source package is essential. For help see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage . Additionally, in the report please include:

1) The release of Ubuntu you are using, via 'cat /etc/lsb-release' or System -> About Ubuntu.
2) The version of the package you are using, via 'dpkg -l PKGNAME | cat' or by checking in Synaptic.
3) What happened and what you expected to happen.

The Ubuntu community has also created debugging procedures for a wide variety of packages at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingProcedures . Following the debugging instructions for the affected package will make your bug report much more complete. Thanks!

[Seth Arnold (seth-arnold)]

In general, apt-get purge the linux-image-generic linux-image linux-headers linux-headers-generic linux-generic packages.

Then you can delete some image files from /boot/ by hand; once one or two are deleted, use apt-get purge to delete the corresponding packages (linux-image-*-generic, linux-headers-*-generic). Be sure to keep at least two bootable kernels.

Once you've finished removing packages, re-install the linux-image-generic linux-image linux-headers linux-headers-generic linux-generic packages to ensure you continue to get security updates.