package linux-image-2.6.38-8-generic 2.6.38-8.42 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: sub process post installation script returned error code 2

[Matthias Andree]

this happened during upgrade on a 64-bit computer from maverick to natty.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: linux-image-2.6.38-8-generic 2.6.38-8.42
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.35-28.50-generic 2.6.35.11
Uname: Linux 2.6.35-28-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.23.
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: SB [HDA ATI SB], device 0: VT1708S Analog [VT1708S Analog]
   Subdevices: 2/2
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
   Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: mandree 9454 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] Datei oder Verzeichnis nicht gefunden
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'SB'/'HDA ATI SB at 0xfbbf4000 irq 16'
   Mixer name : 'VIA VT1708S'
   Components : 'HDA:11060397,1043836c,00100000'
   Controls : 38
   Simple ctrls : 22
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'HDMI'/'HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfbdfc000 irq 19'
   Mixer name : 'ATI RS690/780 HDMI'
   Components : 'HDA:1002791a,00791a00,00100000'
   Controls : 4
   Simple ctrls : 1
Card1.Amixer.values:
 Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
   Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined penum
   Playback channels: Mono
   Mono: Playback [on]
Date: Mon May 2 14:52:49 2011
ErrorMessage: ErrorMessage: Unterprozess installiertes post-installation-Skript gab den Fehlerwert 2 zurück
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=408ca194-25f2-4018-95d7-61cf06367fea
IwConfig:
 lo no wireless extensions.

 eth0 no wireless extensions.

 vboxnet0 no wireless extensions.
MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
ProcKernelCmdLine: root=/dev/mapper/vgcrypt0-root ro ip=192.168.0.4::192.168.0.253::hostname:eth0:none vga=794 quiet splash
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-2.6.35-28-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-2.6.35-28-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.52
RfKill:

SourcePackage: linux
Title: package linux-image-2.6.38-8-generic 2.6.38-8.42 failed to install/upgrade: ErrorMessage: Unterprozess installiertes post-installation-Skript gab den Fehlerwert 2 zurück
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to natty on 2011-05-02 (0 days ago)
WpaSupplicantLog:

dmi.bios.date: 05/20/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 3401
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: M4A78T-E
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev 1.xx
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr3401:bd05/20/2010:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnM4A78T-E:rvrRev1.xx:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: System Product Name
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer

[Matthias Andree (matthias-andree)]

Apparently something had left /usr/share/initramfs-tools/hooks/plymouth.orig and /usr/share/initramfs-tools/hooks/plymouth.orig~ files in my file system. Deleting these files let the update proceed. Possibly reassign to initramfs-tools, and possibly make those packages more robust to backup files in its directories.