[Bug 798414] Re: update-initramfs should produce a more helpful error when there isn't enough free space

[markling]

This error is still occuring. It appears to be preventing me adding
packages through the Ubuntu Software Centre. Tried to file crash report
but it said "already filed" and sent me here. Boot partition 96 per cent
full. It's only a few weeks since this last happened. Lucky I've got
nothing better to do all day than tinker with Ubuntu errors like I was
some sort of retired computer hobbyist who doesn't need to earn a
living.

Lucky in fact, that Ubuntu is only an operating system for hobbyists who
don't have to earn a living and so can spend all their time tinkering
with errors like retired hobbyists. I can't wait to go back to the
forums to learn all about removing discarded linux images from my boot
partition again! I understand why people say Windows sucks. Linux is
fun!

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

Title:
  update-initramfs should produce a more helpful error when there isn't
  enough  free space

Status in “initramfs-tools” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: initramfs-tools

  When generating a new initramfs there is no check for available free
  space, subsequently its possible for update-initramfs to fail due to a
  lack of free space.  This is resulting in package installation
  failures for initramfs-tools.  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

  WORKAROUND:

  Remove unused kernels using computer janitor or manually free space on
  your partition containing the /boot file system.

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