package linux-image-2.6.28-15-generic 2.6.28-15.52 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2

[Stephen Warren]

The linux kernel package fails to install correctly. Complete log below.

Note: I have uninstalled grub and replaced it with lilo. Grub (at least grub1; I have not tried grub2) doesn't work on my HW (hard reboot before even displaying the grub menu). Hence, it is no surprise that the hook scripts can't find the update-grub script/binary. The kernel package should still support lilo, since lilo is packaged.

root@severn:/mnt/severn_home/swarren# apt-get dist-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
After this operation, 0B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Setting up linux-image-2.6.28-15-generic (2.6.28-15.52) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-15-generic
Not updating initrd symbolic links since we are being updated/reinstalled
(2.6.28-15.49 was configured last, according to dpkg)
Not updating image symbolic links since we are being updated/reinstalled
(2.6.28-15.49 was configured last, according to dpkg)
Could not find postinst hook script [update-grub].
Looked in: '/bin', '/sbin', '/usr/bin', '/usr/sbin'
dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.28-15-generic (--configure):
 subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
 linux-image-2.6.28-15-generic
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

ProblemType: Package
Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
ErrorMessage: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=25d38b9e-76a6-4da6-b9f4-c430542c2aa7
MachineType: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8367-8233/5
Package: linux-image-2.6.28-15-generic 2.6.28-15.52
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=2.6.28-15 ro root=fc0c root=/dev/severn_vg2/severn_root
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.28-15.49-generic
SourcePackage: linux
Title: package linux-image-2.6.28-15-generic 2.6.28-15.52 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2

[Stephen Warren (srwarren)]

Note: After the above, I installed the grub package (but hopefully did not install grub to the MBR/PBR), and the post-install steps triggered by grub appear to have resolved this issue. Still, that's a workaround; I shouldn't need grub installed if I don't use it.

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

Indeed, lilo should still be supported. Not quite sure why it's failed here in your case. Setting this to Triaged for further investigation.

[Hedgehog (jimmy-serrano)]

I have almost the same problem as SW (old hardware that dont work with grub1 or 2) and the bug is still present in ubuntu 10.04. As installning any grub package breaks my installation this workaround makes kernel upgrades configure properly:

sudo -s

ln -s /bin/true /sbin/update-grub

apt-get upgrade

(of course the ln command only has to be run one time)

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug was filed against a series that is no longer supported and so is being marked as Won't Fix. If this issue still exists in a supported series, please file a new bug.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.