package linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae 3.2.0-24.39 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 17

[David Williams]

I just booted up my Ubuntu 12.04 32 bit version, opened a console, ran
sudu apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

was given about a dozen or so packages to upgrade, said "yes" and at the end, failed.

I'll paste whole console log here:

$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
  at-spi2-core gir1.2-atspi-2.0 libatspi2.0-0 libnautilus-extension1a libsnmp-base libsnmp15 libssl1.0.0 linux-headers-3.2.0-24
  linux-headers-3.2.0-24-generic-pae linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae linux-libc-dev nautilus nautilus-data openssl python-gi
  python-gi-cairo python-gobject software-center xserver-common xserver-xorg-core xserver-xorg-input-synaptics xvfb
22 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 58.7 MB of archives.
After this operation, 31.7 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Get:1 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/main libssl1.0.0 i386 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.2 [1,002 kB]
Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libatspi2.0-0 i386 2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1 [57.5 kB]
Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae i386 3.2.0-24.39 [37.9 MB]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security/main openssl i386 1.0.1-4ubuntu5.2 [519 kB]
Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main python-gi-cairo i386 3.2.2-1~precise [5,230 B]
Get:6 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main python-gi i386 3.2.2-1~precise [219 kB]
Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main at-spi2-core i386 2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1 [44.3 kB]
Get:8 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main gir1.2-atspi-2.0 i386 2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1 [16.1 kB]
Get:9 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libnautilus-extension1a i386 1:3.4.2-0ubuntu1 [51.4 kB]
Get:10 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libsnmp-base all 5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1.1 [213 kB]
Get:11 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main libsnmp15 i386 5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1.1 [1,262 kB]
Get:12 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main linux-headers-3.2.0-24 all 3.2.0-24.39 [11.4 MB]
Get:13 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main linux-headers-3.2.0-24-generic-pae i386 3.2.0-24.39 [946 kB]
Get:14 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main linux-libc-dev i386 3.2.0-24.39 [831 kB]
Get:15 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main nautilus-data all 1:3.4.2-0ubuntu1 [63.2 kB]
Get:16 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main nautilus i386 1:3.4.2-0ubuntu1 [845 kB]
Get:17 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main python-gobject all 3.2.2-1~precise [2,468 B]
Get:18 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main software-center all 5.2.2 [617 kB]
Get:19 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main xserver-common all 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2 [32.5 kB]
Get:20 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main xserver-xorg-core i386 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2 [1,676 kB]
Get:21 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main xserver-xorg-input-synaptics i386 1.6.0-0ubuntu1~precise1 [71.2 kB]
Get:22 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main xvfb i386 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2 [889 kB]
Fetched 58.7 MB in 54s (1,079 kB/s)
Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 233066 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace libssl1.0.0 1.0.1-4ubuntu5 (using .../libssl1.0.0_1.0.1-4ubuntu5.2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libssl1.0.0 ...
Setting up libssl1.0.0 (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.2) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
(Reading database ... 233066 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace libatspi2.0-0 2.4.1-0ubuntu0.1 (using .../libatspi2.0-0_2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libatspi2.0-0 ...
Preparing to replace linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae 3.2.0-24.38 (using .../linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae_3.2.0-24.39_i386.deb) ...
Done.
Unpacking replacement linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae ...
Examining /etc/kernel/postrm.d .
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postrm.d/initramfs-tools 3.2.0-24-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-24-generic-pae
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postrm.d/zz-update-grub 3.2.0-24-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-24-generic-pae
Preparing to replace python-gi-cairo 3.2.0-3 (using .../python-gi-cairo_3.2.2-1~precise_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement python-gi-cairo ...
Preparing to replace python-gi 3.2.0-3 (using .../python-gi_3.2.2-1~precise_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement python-gi ...
Preparing to replace at-spi2-core 2.4.1-0ubuntu0.1 (using .../at-spi2-core_2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement at-spi2-core ...
Preparing to replace gir1.2-atspi-2.0 2.4.1-0ubuntu0.1 (using .../gir1.2-atspi-2.0_2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement gir1.2-atspi-2.0 ...
Preparing to replace libnautilus-extension1a 1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1 (using .../libnautilus-extension1a_1%3a3.4.2-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libnautilus-extension1a ...
Preparing to replace libsnmp-base 5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1 (using .../libsnmp-base_5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1.1_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libsnmp-base ...
Preparing to replace libsnmp15 5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1 (using .../libsnmp15_5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1.1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement libsnmp15 ...
Preparing to replace linux-headers-3.2.0-24 3.2.0-24.38 (using .../linux-headers-3.2.0-24_3.2.0-24.39_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement linux-headers-3.2.0-24 ...
Preparing to replace linux-headers-3.2.0-24-generic-pae 3.2.0-24.38 (using .../linux-headers-3.2.0-24-generic-pae_3.2.0-24.39_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement linux-headers-3.2.0-24-generic-pae ...
Preparing to replace linux-libc-dev 3.2.0-24.38 (using .../linux-libc-dev_3.2.0-24.39_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement linux-libc-dev ...
Preparing to replace nautilus-data 1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1 (using .../nautilus-data_1%3a3.4.2-0ubuntu1_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement nautilus-data ...
Preparing to replace nautilus 1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1 (using .../nautilus_1%3a3.4.2-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement nautilus ...
Preparing to replace openssl 1.0.1-4ubuntu5 (using .../openssl_1.0.1-4ubuntu5.2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement openssl ...
Preparing to replace python-gobject 3.2.0-3 (using .../python-gobject_3.2.2-1~precise_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement python-gobject ...
Preparing to replace software-center 5.2.1 (using .../software-center_5.2.2_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement software-center ...
Preparing to replace xserver-common 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.1 (using .../xserver-common_2%3a1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2_all.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement xserver-common ...
Preparing to replace xserver-xorg-core 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.1 (using .../xserver-xorg-core_2%3a1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement xserver-xorg-core ...
Preparing to replace xserver-xorg-input-synaptics 1.5.99.902-0ubuntu5.1 (using .../xserver-xorg-input-synaptics_1.6.0-0ubuntu1~precise1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement xserver-xorg-input-synaptics ...
Preparing to replace xvfb 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.1 (using .../xvfb_2%3a1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement xvfb ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Processing triggers for gconf2 ...
Processing triggers for shared-mime-info ...
Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme ...
Processing triggers for libglib2.0-0 ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ...
Processing triggers for bamfdaemon ...
Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/bamf.index...
Processing triggers for gnome-menus ...
Setting up libatspi2.0-0 (2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae (3.2.0-24.39) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: deferring update (hook will be called later)
Failed to symbolic-link boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-24-generic-pae to initrd.img: File exists
dpkg: error processing linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 17
No apport report written because MaxReports is reached already
                                                              Setting up python-gi (3.2.2-1~precise) ...
Setting up python-gi-cairo (3.2.2-1~precise) ...
Setting up at-spi2-core (2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up gir1.2-atspi-2.0 (2.4.2-0ubuntu0.1) ...
Setting up libnautilus-extension1a (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up libsnmp-base (5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up libsnmp15 (5.4.3~dfsg-2.4ubuntu1.1) ...
Setting up linux-headers-3.2.0-24 (3.2.0-24.39) ...
Setting up linux-headers-3.2.0-24-generic-pae (3.2.0-24.39) ...
Examining /etc/kernel/header_postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/header_postinst.d/dkms 3.2.0-24-generic-pae /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-24-generic-pae
Setting up linux-libc-dev (3.2.0-24.39) ...
Setting up nautilus-data (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up nautilus (1:3.4.2-0ubuntu1) ...
Setting up openssl (1.0.1-4ubuntu5.2) ...
Setting up python-gobject (3.2.2-1~precise) ...
Setting up software-center (5.2.2) ...
Updating software catalog...this may take a moment.
INFO:softwarecenter.db.pkginfo_impl.aptcache:aptcache.open()
Software catalog update was successful.
Setting up xserver-common (2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-core (2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2) ...
Setting up xserver-xorg-input-synaptics (1.6.0-0ubuntu1~precise1) ...
Setting up xvfb (2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.2) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
Errors were encountered while processing:
 linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

       [16:12:52] davidw@davidw-asus:~

$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Setting up linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae (3.2.0-24.39) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: deferring update (hook will be called later)
Failed to symbolic-link boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-24-generic-pae to initrd.img: File exists
dpkg: error processing linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 17
Errors were encountered while processing:
 linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

       [16:13:59] davidw@davidw-asus:~

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae 3.2.0-24.39
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-24.37-generic-pae 3.2.14
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-24-generic-pae i686
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.24.
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu7
AptOrdering: linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae: Configure
Architecture: i386
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 0: ALC269VB Analog [ALC269VB Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: davidw 2344 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: davidw 2344 F.... pulseaudio
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'PCH'/'HDA Intel PCH at 0xf6a00000 irq 47'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC269VB'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0269,10431b33,00100100'
   Controls : 23
   Simple ctrls : 12
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'NVidia'/'HDA NVidia at 0xf4080000 irq 17'
   Mixer name : 'Nvidia GPU 15 HDMI/DP'
   Components : 'HDA:10de0015,10de0101,00100100'
   Controls : 24
   Simple ctrls : 4
Date: Thu May 24 16:13:59 2012
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 17
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=1669fa73-6313-4b41-a000-2b21e2719bdb
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release i386 (20120423)
MachineType: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. G74Sx
ProcFB: 0 VESA VGA
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.2.0-24-generic-pae root=/dev/sdb12 ro quiet vt.handoff=7 splash video=uvesafb:mode_option=1920x1080-24,mtrr=3,scroll=ywrap
PulseList: Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
RelatedPackageVersions: grub-pc 1.99-21ubuntu3
SourcePackage: linux
StagingDrivers: mei rts5139
Title: package linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae 3.2.0-24.39 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 17
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 08/15/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: G74Sx.202
dmi.board.asset.tag: ATN12345678901234567
dmi.board.name: G74Sx
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
dmi.board.version: 1.0
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: 1.0
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrG74Sx.202:bd08/15/2011:svnASUSTeKComputerInc.:pnG74Sx:pvr1.0:rvnASUSTeKComputerInc.:rnG74Sx:rvr1.0:cvnASUSTeKComputerInc.:ct10:cvr1.0:
dmi.product.name: G74Sx
dmi.product.version: 1.0
dmi.sys.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

[David Williams (david-williams)]

FYI, I rebooted (glad I could!), tried again, same error.

But, seeing the message below made me think to say I do have a separate boot partition, if that matters.

- - -
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: deferring update (hook will be called later)
Failed to symbolic-link boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-24-generic-pae to initrd.img: File exists
dpkg: error processing linux-image-3.2.0-24-generic-pae (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 17

[David Williams (david-williams)]

BTW, I was able to work around this. I booted by 64 bit version (which is in a separate partition) then mounted the 32 bit partition as "plain data" mount (not to run anything). It had an empty boot folder (presumably since I have my own boot partition, where "the real" files reside) and a few symbolic links that pointed to non-existed files in the empty boot folder. So, I removed those (and, the empty boot folder). unmounted it. reboot back onto the 32 bit partition, and could then complete the update just fine.

Thanks.