I think the patch presented at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/initramfs-tools/+bug/1678187/comments/8 might give more helpful error message, since it avoids filling /boot as long as possible, thus the system is unlikely to run out of space while running mkinitramfs, but finds out, if the system lacks free space, and if it does, it tells the URL of the documentation page concerning removing old kernels.
P.S. The URL could be https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LowDiskOnBoot alternatively. (Luke W Faraone uses that in his merge proposal, and it redirects to the same document currently.) -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Touch seeded packages, which is subscribed to initramfs-tools in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/798414 Title: update-initramfs should produce a more helpful error message when there isn't enough free space Status in initramfs-tools: Confirmed Status in Software Updater: New Status in dpkg package in Ubuntu: Invalid Status in initramfs-tools package in Ubuntu: Confirmed 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 To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/initramfs-tools/+bug/798414/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages Post to : touch-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
