package initramfs-tools 0.98.1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1

[Heero Yuy]

Binary package hint: initramfs-tools

Encountered when upgrading form 10.04 to 10.10 beta.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.10
Package: initramfs-tools 0.98.1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-24.42-generic 2.6.32.15+drm33.5
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-24-generic i686
Architecture: i386
Date: Sun Sep 12 13:40:19 2010
ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release i386 (20100429)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: initramfs-tools
Title: package initramfs-tools 0.98.1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1

[Peter Brewster (peter-brewster)]

Could this file /usr/share/initramfs-tools/scripts/casper-bottom/43disable_updateinitramfs be a part of the problem? My 10.04 was recently (re)installed fresh from a read-only flash drive live system created with remastersys. Upgrade to 10.10 failed as described with initramfs problem.

[Heero Yuy (wavewaterpool)]

I am not really sure. I didn't see anything related to the script you have
mentioned when I encountered the error. And that file doesn't exists in my
system.

On Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 8:23 AM, Peter Brewster
<email address hidden>wrote:

> Could this file /usr/share/initramfs-tools/scripts/casper-
> bottom/43disable_updateinitramfs be a part of the problem? My 10.04 was
> recently (re)installed fresh from a read-only flash drive live system
> created with remastersys. Upgrade to 10.10 failed as described with
> initramfs problem.
>
> ** Attachment added: "43disable_updateinitramfs"
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/initramfs-tools/+bug/636181/+attachment/1576019/+files/43disable_updateinitramfs
>
> --
> package initramfs-tools 0.98.1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade:
> ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error
> exit status 1
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/636181
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “initramfs-tools” package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: initramfs-tools
>
> Encountered when upgrading form 10.04 to 10.10 beta.
>
> ProblemType: Package
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.10
> Package: initramfs-tools 0.98.1ubuntu1
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-24.42-generic 2.6.32.15+drm33.5
> Uname: Linux 2.6.32-24-generic i686
> Architecture: i386
> Date: Sun Sep 12 13:40:19 2010
> ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script
> returned error exit status 1
> InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release i386 (20100429)
> PackageArchitecture: all
> SourcePackage: initramfs-tools
> Title: package initramfs-tools 0.98.1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade:
> ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error
> exit status 1
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/initramfs-tools/+bug/636181/+subscribe
>

[Peter Brewster (peter-brewster)]

The temporary fix to my trouble was to copy /usr/sbin/update-initramfs.distrib without the .distrib Then I was able to upgrade from 10.04 to 10.10 and boot without problems. No errors reported during the upgrade. I do not know if/when the problem will recur.

Looking at old backups the problem went at least back to 9.04. Rerunning installs and updates the number of errors grew - but none were fatal - until the only kernel was affected in 10.10 and grub could not boot.

The problem, IMHO comes from 43disable_updateinitramfs which blows away the real needed file with no downstream consideration. OTOH the script/program smart enough to discover update-initramfs is not there could look for the .distrib file.

The problem is compounded since initramfs-tools requires itself in good order for a repair/reinstall - and the man page does not suggest or provide an alternate procedure. At the least man mkinitramfs could detail a reconstruct procedure.

[maximilian attems (maks-debian)]

gzip: stdout: No space left on device

Buy newer bigger disks. In any case backup the data.