package linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic 4.15.0-38.41 failed to install/upgrade: installed linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1

[Norman Gregory]

I was trying to clear space on /boot by removing linux-image-4.15.0-38. This would have left wo later versions.
sudo apt auto-remove --purge usually works but did not this time.
I reverted to sudo apt-get remove linux-image-4.15.0-38.
This produced a screen telling me that I was trying to remove the current version of linux and reported the dire consequences of continuing. It recommended aborting the operation, which I did.
The system should have moved on twice before this leaving it running a considerably later kernal.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic 4.15.0-38.41
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-38.41-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-38-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: qnx4 hfsplus hfs minix ntfs jfs cdc_acm rfcomm bnep gpio_ich coretemp hid_multitouch uvcvideo videobuf2_vmalloc videobuf2_memops sparse_keymap videobuf2_v4l2 videobuf2_core videodev media snd_hda_codec_realtek lpc_ich snd_hda_codec_generic btusb btrtl btbcm btintel snd_hda_intel bluetooth rtl8192se rtl_pci rtlwifi snd_hda_codec snd_hda_core mac80211 cfg80211 jmb38x_ms memstick mac_hid shpchp hid_topseed i915 sdhci_pci sdhci r8169 wmi
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.4
AptOrdering:
 linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-38-generic:amd64: Remove
 linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic:amd64: Remove
 NULL: ConfigurePending
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: norman 1617 F.... pulseaudio
Date: Tue Dec 4 12:43:46 2018
ErrorMessage: installed linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=ed31ac5c-f3b1-4419-9882-e16db04fb2d5
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-05-27 (1652 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140417)
MachineType: Acer Aspire Z5600
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-4.15.0-38-generic root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=1
PulseList: Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.6, python3-minimal, 3.6.5-3ubuntu1
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.15rc1, python-minimal, 2.7.15~rc1-1
RelatedPackageVersions: grub-pc 2.02-2ubuntu8.7
SourcePackage: linux
Title: package linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic 4.15.0-38.41 failed to install/upgrade: installed linux-image-4.15.0-38-generic package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 01/19/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: Phoenix
dmi.bios.version: P01-B2
dmi.board.name: Aspire Z5600
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.type: 13
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnPhoenix:bvrP01-B2:bd01/19/2010:svnAcer:pnAspireZ5600:pvr:rvnAcer:rnAspireZ5600:rvr:cvnAcer:ct13:cvr:
dmi.product.family: Acer Desktop
dmi.product.name: Aspire Z5600
dmi.sys.vendor: Acer

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Norman Gregory (norman-l)]

Having reported the problem I wonder how to proceed. Could I:-
1. Simple delete the later, 4.15.0-39 & -42 versions, leaving me space on the /boot partition and perhaps try reloading one of them ?

2. Is there a method for getting one of these to boot leaving the present 4.15.0-18 free to be deleted ?

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