package initramfs-tools 0.99ubuntu13.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 143

[Russel McConnell]

I was running the command "sudo apt-get remove --purge bcmwl-kernel-source" as part of the procedures here:

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-nettool/+question/220688

------- output -----------------
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  bcmwl-kernel-source*
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
After this operation, 3,656 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
(Reading database ... 636963 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing bcmwl-kernel-source ...
Removing all DKMS Modules
Done.
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Purging configuration files for bcmwl-kernel-source ...
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-37-generic
--------- end output --------------

It had hung there for in excess of 45 minutes, at which time I aborted it (killed the process with "sudo kill processnum") and the error report started.

My Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 01) wireless and my Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 01) both failed after the updates today (2013-02-01) to kernel "Ubuntu 3.2.0-37-generic", which is why I was following the troubleshooting path in the article above.

Ubuntu Release is 12.04 LTS

initramfs-tools:
  Installed: 0.99ubuntu13.1
  Candidate: 0.99ubuntu13.1
  Version table:
 *** 0.99ubuntu13.1 0
        500 http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     0.99ubuntu13 0
        500 http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main i386 Packages

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: initramfs-tools 0.99ubuntu13.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-37.58-generic 3.2.35
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-37-generic i686
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu17.1
AptOrdering: bcmwl-kernel-source: Purge
Architecture: i386
Date: Fri Feb 1 10:39:11 2013
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 143
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Release i386 (20111012)
MarkForUpload: True
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: initramfs-tools
Title: package initramfs-tools 0.99ubuntu13.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 143
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to precise on 2012-05-01 (276 days ago)

[Andy Whitcroft (apw)]

Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-37-generic
^[[A^[[C^[[B
Terminated
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--purge):