[Bug 798414] Re: update-initramfs should produce a more helpful error message when there isn't enough free space--or provide an automatic tool for removal of old files

[Jarno Suni]

Tex, the command you used failed because of Bug #1678187. However it
succeeded to purge many kernels and related packages. But package linux-
image-extra-4.13.0-36-generic was not successfully purged technically.
What does command 'dpkg -l linux-image-extra-4.13.0-36-generic' print?
Anyway, you can now purge the package by 'sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-
extra-4.13.0-36-generic', right?

I suppose your original command purged too many packages, as it removed
the linux-generic-hwe-16.04 package. You may reinstall it by 'sudo apt-
get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04', if you want
to continue to get newer kernels via updates.
(https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/LTSEnablementStack#Ubuntu_16.04_LTS_-
_Xenial_Xerus)

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/798414

Title:
  update-initramfs should produce a more helpful error message when
  there isn't enough  free space--or provide an automatic tool for
  removal of old files

Status in initramfs-tools:
  Confirmed
Status in Ubuntu Software Center:
  Invalid
Status in dpkg package in Ubuntu:
  Invalid
Status in initramfs-tools package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: initramfs-tools

  When installing a kernel, /boot may become full during execution of
  post-installation script typically when update-initramfs is creating
  or updating an initrd.img file. This is resulting in kernel
  installation error.  For example:

  Setting up initramfs-tools (0.98.8ubuntu3) ...
  update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
  Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
  update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic

  gzip: stdout: No space left on device
  E: mkinitramfs failure cpio 141 gzip 1
  update-initramfs: failed for /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
  dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
   subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1

  Ideal behavior:

  Give a more helpful error message when this unfortunate situation
  occurs so that user can fix the broken system and keep it going.

  Workaround:

  As the bug reporting system forwards user to this bug report, such instructions can be given here:
  https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RemoveOldKernels

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