[Bug 1183692] Re: Not enough disk space for kernel security update on /boot

[Matt Hanyok]

Still happening. I noticed that running apt-get autoremove usually
clears up enough old kernel versions to fix this, but it didn't work
this time.

Surely the updater can be configured to run autoremove and prompt the
user yes/no before attempting to install updates? That may fix the issue
in a large number of cases; then it would just be a matter of figuring
out what is marking some kernel versions as still in use so they're not
caught by autoremove.

Also, a larger /boot would still be a good idea.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1183692

Title:
  Not enough disk space for kernel security update on /boot

Status in update-manager package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  Hi all

  I am using Ubuntu 12.10 and have just received the newest update
  notification from the update-manager marked as security updates. (This
  is NOT a release upgrade, but the regular security update)

  The update-manager tells me now that there is insufficient space on /boot to install these updates.
  The problem obviously is that too many kernels are installed: 3.5.0-17, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 30

  Which leaves 27MB space:
  Filesystem               Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
  /dev/sda1                228M  190M   27M  88% /boot

  Update Manager reports that it needs at least 33.2MB space for this
  update:

  "The upgrade needs a total of 33.2 M free space on disk '/boot'.
  Please free at least an additional 5,520 k of disk space on '/boot'.
  Empty your trash and remove temporary packages of former installations
  using 'sudo apt-get clean'."

  The hint in the message does not help for /boot.
  While I can fix this myself, I believe that this is not acceptable for an average end user to research and fix.
  Update-Manager should at least offer the option to remove old kernels (which it installed itself by security updates) in order for the security updates to proceed.

  
  I found an answer on AskUbuntu.com (http://askubuntu.com/questions/142926/cant-upgrade-due-to-low-disk-space-on-boot) which will help fix the issue. 

  TL;DR:

  -- 1 -- Release: 12.10
  -- 2 -- Installed Version of update-manager: 1:0.174.4
  -- 3 -- Expected:
  Security update should be installed. 
  -- 4 -- Happened:
  Failed because of insufficient disk space on /boot
  (Too many old kernels previously installed and not removed by update-manager)

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