package openvpn 2.2.1-8ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127

[Nic Robinson]

Was attempting to reinstall openvpn. when uninstalling I got an error running apt-get purge from a terminal, then this when reinstalling via synaptic. both instances presumably caused by custom config files I had made/edited with [sudo] pico.?

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: openvpn 2.2.1-8ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-23.36-generic-pae 3.2.14
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-23-generic-pae i686
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu2
AptOrdering: openvpn: Purge
Architecture: i386
Date: Sat Apr 14 16:49:33 2012
DpkgTerminalLog:
 Removing openvpn ...
 /etc/init.d/openvpn: 32: /etc/default/openvpn: dev: not found
 invoke-rc.d: initscript openvpn, action "stop" failed.
 dpkg: error processing openvpn (--purge):
  subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127
SourcePackage: openvpn
Title: package openvpn 2.2.1-8ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
modified.conffile..etc.openvpn.update.resolv.conf: [deleted]
mtime.conffile..etc.default.openvpn: 2012-04-14T16:43:41

[James Page (james-page)]

Hi Nic

Thanks for taking the time to report this bug in Ubuntu.

I think that you are correct in that the changes that you have made to /etc/default/openvpn are the cause of this issue - this file is used for configuration of the init script rather than setting up openvpn itself.

Please try commenting out the last few lines of this file using #'s and attempt the installation again.

Marking 'Invalid' for the time being - if you still believe this is a bug please mark back to 'New' with more information.