Remove kernel RPM gives the error, "... scriptlet failed, exit status 255"

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

It is required to remove old or unused kernel(s) on your system. When attempting to run the rpm -e command an error is given and an exit status message similar to the one shown below:

[root@adl-anvil01 ~]# rpm -qa | grep kernel-2.6.9-55
kernel-2.6.9-55.0.6.EL
kernel-2.6.9-55.EL
kernel-2.6.9-55.0.12.EL
kernel-2.6.9-55.0.2.EL
kernel-2.6.9-55.0.9.EL
[root@adl-anvil01 ~]# rpm -e kernel-2.6.9-55.EL
error: %preun(kernel-2.6.9-55.EL.x86_64) scriptlet failed, exit status 255
[root@adl-anvil01 ~]#

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4

Subscriber exclusive content

A Red Hat subscription provides unlimited access to our knowledgebase of over 48,000 articles and solutions.

Current Customers and Partners

Log in for full access

Log In

New to Red Hat?

Learn more about Red Hat subscriptions

Close

Welcome! Check out the Getting Started with Red Hat page for quick tours and guides for common tasks.