package yaws 1.92-1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Damir]

Description: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
Release: 12.04

yaws:
  Installed: 1.92-1
  Candidate: 1.92-1

Expected behavior: should be possible to uninstall yaws package.

I tried to install the erlang distribution from Erlang Solutios http://www.erlang-solutions.com/section/132/download-erlang-otp. The installation procedure attempted to remove the ubuntu prepackaged erlang first and this step failed while uninstalling yaws. Now I have orphaned yaws (apparently uninstalled but the install database is unaware of it) and the attempt to (re)install either erlang (Ubuntu or one from Erlang Solutions) is failing.

Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/yaws_1.92-1_all.deb

Now I have broken package that prevents me to do any package manipulation and I can not fix it i.e. no automatic security upgrades etc...

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: yaws 1.92-1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-26.41-generic 3.2.19
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-26-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu8
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sun Jul 15 09:30:44 2012
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Release amd64 (20111012)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: yaws
Title: package yaws 1.92-1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to precise on 2012-04-28 (77 days ago)

[Damir (dmalenic)]

I manged to workaround the bug. It looks like the uninstall script assumes the yaws is running and fails on attempt to stop yaws. I re-installed yaws, started it and run apt-get purge while yaws was running. The removal procedure completed successfully.