[Bug 1753518] Re: package grub-efi-amd64-signed 1.93+2.02-2ubuntu8 failed to install/upgrade: installed grub-efi-amd64-signed package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1

Sun Feb 10 15:11:42 UTC 2019

I have a DELL 9343 XPS running 'Ubuntu 18.04.1'. The first recent
indication that I had a problem with the Software Updater was with an
update I installed on 31-JAN-2019 when Software Updater returned the
message 'package operation failed'.

Looking back at the logs, I found in /var/log/dpkg.log the last three
lines indicated that my grub-efi was shown as 'half-configured' but not
'installed'.

2019-02-01 07:03:44 startup packages configure
2019-02-01 07:03:44 configure grub-efi-amd64-signed:amd64 1.93.11+2.02-2ubuntu8.10 <none>
2019-02-01 07:03:44 status half-configured grub-efi-amd64-signed:amd64 1.93.11+2.02-2ubuntu8.10

Since I don't like error messages, I began searching for an explanation
and for a solution before attempting to remedy the problem. I found that
others felt there may be a problem with BIOS file(s) in a permission
protected folder /boot/efi.

I found the latest BIOS update '9343_A18.exe' on the DELL support page
and downloaded the file. In order to copy the BIOS update binary into
the efi partition (/boot/efi) I had to use sudo in the Terminal to copy
the 9343_A18.exe file to /boot/efi.

I then followed the instructions to update the BIOS which is to restart
/ reboot, pressing F12 key in order to enter in the Boot Menu and then
choose BIOS Update selecting 9343_A18.exe and choosing to update the
BIOS.

After updating the BIOS, Ubuntu Software Updater works fine again
without returning any error messages. The last line in the most recent
version of /var/log/dpkg.log shows the following documentation that my
grub-efi is now shown as 'half-configured' and finally 'installed'.

2019-02-10 05:04:47 configure grub-efi-amd64-signed:amd64 1.93.11+2.02-2ubuntu8.10 <none>
2019-02-10 05:04:47 status half-configured grub-efi-amd64-signed:amd64 1.93.11+2.02-2ubuntu8.10
2019-02-10 05:04:49 status installed grub-efi-amd64-signed:amd64 1.93.11+2.02-2ubuntu8.10

After spending considerable time looking into my problem, I concluded
that updating the BIOS to the latest version from DELL was the best
answer and solved my problem.

Hope this helps anyone looking for a similar answer. Installed systems
are of course different. If your problem is different, looking in
/var/log/dpkg.log for 'status half-configured' without seeing 'status
installed' files may give you a lead on where to look for your own
solution.

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to grub2-signed in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1753518

Title:
  package grub-efi-amd64-signed 1.93+2.02-2ubuntu8 failed to
  install/upgrade: installed grub-efi-amd64-signed package post-
  installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1

Status in grub2-signed package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  thierry at ingatech-XPS-13-9343:~$ LC_ALL=C sudo apt 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, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
  Do you want to continue? [Y/n] 
  Setting up grub-efi-amd64-signed (1.93+2.02-2ubuntu8) ...
  Installing for x86_64-efi platform.
  Could not delete variable: Invalid argument
  grub-install: error: efibootmgr failed to register the boot entry: Block device required.
  dpkg: error processing package grub-efi-amd64-signed (--configure):
   installed grub-efi-amd64-signed package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
  Errors were encountered while processing:
   grub-efi-amd64-signed
  E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

  ProblemType: Package
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
  Package: grub-efi-amd64-signed 1.93+2.02-2ubuntu8
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-10.11-generic 4.15.3
  Uname: Linux 4.15.0-10-generic x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: wl
  ApportVersion: 2.20.8-0ubuntu10
  Architecture: amd64
  Date: Mon Mar  5 15:49:17 2018
  ErrorMessage: installed grub-efi-amd64-signed package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-11-17 (107 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 17.10 "Artful Aardvark" - Release amd64 (20171018)
  Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.4+, python3-minimal, 3.6.4-1
  PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.14+, python-minimal, 2.7.14-4
  RelatedPackageVersions:
   dpkg 1.19.0.5ubuntu1
   apt  1.6~alpha7ubuntu2
  SourcePackage: grub2-signed
  Title: package grub-efi-amd64-signed 1.93+2.02-2ubuntu8 failed to install/upgrade: installed grub-efi-amd64-signed package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to bionic on 2018-03-01 (3 days ago)

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2-signed/+bug/1753518/+subscriptions