[Bug 1407227] Re: package emacs24 24.3+1-1ubuntu3 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 2

[Peder Bacher]

The /var/lib/dpkg/status file doesn't contain any "#auctex#" and I
cannot find anything suspicious around the "auctex" words found when
searching the file.

The file is attached, can someone spot a potential problem with it?

** Attachment added: "status"
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/dpkg/+bug/1407227/+attachment/4293408/+files/status

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to dpkg in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1407227

Title:
  package emacs24 24.3+1-1ubuntu3 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess
  new pre-removal script returned error exit status 2

Status in dpkg package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  I have not been able to upgrade or install anything for the last
  couple of months, due to this problem. I have had "experts" trying to
  fix this, but no one can really figure out what is wrong.

  1)
  Description:	Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS
  Release:	14.04

  2)
  emacs24:
    Installed: 24.3+1-1ubuntu3
    Candidate: 24.3+1-2ubuntu1
    Version table:
       24.3+1-2ubuntu1 0
          500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty/main i386 Packages
   *** 24.3+1-1ubuntu3 0
          100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

  3)
  I run "apt-get -f install" and have marked emacs 24 for updating. I expect that it updates the package.

  4)
  After a few lines it reaches this error:
  ...
  Unpacking emacs24-common (24.3+1-2ubuntu1) ...
  Selecting previously unselected package emacs24.
  Preparing to unpack .../emacs24_24.3+1-2ubuntu1_i386.deb ...
  dpkg-query: error: --status needs a valid package name but '#auctex#' is not: illegal package name in specifier '#auctex#': must start with an alphanumeric character

  Use --help for help about querying packages.
  emacsen-common: dpkg invocation failed at /usr/lib/emacsen-common/lib.pl line 80.
  dpkg: warning: subprocess old pre-removal script returned error exit status 2
  dpkg: trying script from the new package instead ...
  dpkg-query: error: --status needs a valid package name but '#auctex#' is not: illegal package name in specifier '#auctex#': must start with an alphanumeric character

  Use --help for help about querying packages.
  emacsen-common: dpkg invocation failed at /usr/lib/emacsen-common/lib.pl line 80.
  dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/emacs24_24.3+1-2ubuntu1_i386.deb (--unpack):
   subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 2
  update-alternatives: using /usr/bin/emacs24-x to provide /usr/bin/emacs (emacs) in auto mode
  dpkg-query: error: --status needs a valid package name but '#auctex#' is not: illegal package name in specifier '#auctex#': must start with an alphanumeric character

  ProblemType: Package
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
  Package: emacs24 24.3+1-1ubuntu3
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-40.69-generic 3.13.11.10
  Uname: Linux 3.13.0-40-generic i686
  ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.6
  Architecture: i386
  Date: Fri Jan  2 09:53:41 2015
  DuplicateSignature: package:emacs24:24.3+1-1ubuntu3:subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 2
  ErrorMessage: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 2
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2011-08-24 (1226 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Release i386 (20110427.1)
  SourcePackage: emacs24
  Title: package emacs24 24.3+1-1ubuntu3 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 2
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-08-15 (140 days ago)

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/dpkg/+bug/1407227/+subscriptions