package python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4

[S Harrington]

failure when trying to upgrade to Ubuntu 20

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
Package: python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-166.174-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-166-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.21
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
Date: Wed Jan 12 11:28:01 2022
ErrorMessage: installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4
InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-08-26 (2330 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04.3 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Beta amd64 (20150805)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.8, Python 3.8.10, python3-minimal, 3.8.2-0ubuntu2
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.18, python-is-python2, 2.7.17-4
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.7ubuntu3
 apt 2.0.6
SourcePackage: python3-defaults
Title: package python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to focal on 2022-01-12 (0 days ago)

[Stefano Rivera (stefanor)]

eric should have been upgraded before python3.8 configured

The old eric was not compatible with python3.8.

Either way, the failed byte-compilation of that file shouldn't have crashed the postinst.

[S Harrington (stevenharrington)]

Thank you for this information about Eric. Unfortunately that is not my only problem. During the build I also got the message "nvidia-340 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 10" and notification that my system was unstable. The resulting system was unable to display the background image and substituted pixel noise. I next got a message that updates were available so I attempted to run the software updates. This again appeared to fail for nvidia-340. I next got a message that a restart was needed to complete the updates, so I restarted the machine. But on trying to restart, after Ubuntu is displayed, I get a stream of text followed by a blank screen. I am completely out of my depth here. Can you advise me on how to report this problem and hopefully how to restore my system?

Thanks
Steve Harrington

-----Original Message-----
From: <email address hidden> [mailto:<email address hidden>] On Behalf Of Stefano Rivera
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 6:49 PM
To: <email address hidden>
Subject: [Bug 1957199] Re: package python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4

eric should have been upgraded before python3.8 configured

The old eric was not compatible with python3.8.

Either way, the failed byte-compilation of that file shouldn't have
crashed the postinst.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1957199

Title:
  package python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: installed
  python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error
  exit status 4

Status in eric package in Ubuntu:
  New
Status in python3-defaults package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  failure when trying to upgrade to Ubuntu 20

  ProblemType: Package
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
  Package: python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-166.174-generic 4.15.18
  Uname: Linux 4.15.0-166-generic x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia
  ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.21
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
  Date: Wed Jan 12 11:28:01 2022
  ErrorMessage: installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-08-26 (2330 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04.3 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Beta amd64 (20150805)
  Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.8, Python 3.8.10, python3-minimal, 3.8.2-0ubuntu2
  PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.18, python-is-python2, 2.7.17-4
  RelatedPackageVersions:
   dpkg 1.19.7ubuntu3
   apt 2.0.6
  SourcePackage: python3-defaults
  Title: package python3 3.8.2-0ubuntu2 failed to install/upgrade: installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to focal on 2022-01-12 (0 days ago)

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[Stefano Rivera (stefanor)]

I'm afraid I can't walk you through resolving a broken upgrade in a bug report, it's just not the best medium for the job. Nor can I see a troubleshooting guide that I can recommend.

The process is that you need to complete the apt upgrade. Usually this involves something like:

# dpkg --configure -a
# apt-get -f install
# apt-get upgrade
# apt-get dist-upgrade

And fix any issues a long the way, until you can get things to complete. In the example above, removing or upgrading eric would probably allow python 3.8 to configure.

If you're out of your depth, I'd recommend taking a backup and re-installing.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.