package linux-image-2.6.32-25-generic 2.6.32-25.44 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1

The kernel image was being upgraded using unattended-upgrade. The crash indicator was seen on the top panel.
The rest of what followed leads me up to this.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: linux-image-2.6.32-25-generic 2.6.32-25.44
Regression: Yes
Reproducible: Yes
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-25.44-generic 2.6.32.21+drm33.7
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-25-generic i686
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.21.
Architecture: i386
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272 Analog [ALC272 Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: gdm 14109 F.... pulseaudio
                      kavish 19393 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/seq: timidity 1643 F.... timidity
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0x96700000 irq 22'
   Mixer name : 'Intel G45 DEVCTG'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0272,1179ff10,00100001 HDA:80862802,80860101,00100000'
   Controls : 21
   Simple ctrls : 11
Date: Wed Oct 20 11:48:26 2010
ErrorMessage: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=6ac61e87-9dce-40a2-838f-2a73b3811407
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release i386 (20100429)
MachineType: TOSHIBA Satellite L510
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-25-generic root=UUID=bfb994a5-4d08-4cb0-a74b-c3e52cf982da ro quiet splash
RelatedPackageVersions: linux-firmware 1.34.1
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
SourcePackage: linux
Title: package linux-image-2.6.32-25-generic 2.6.32-25.44 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
dmi.bios.date: 08/05/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: INSYDE
dmi.bios.version: 1.30
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: Portable PC
dmi.board.vendor: TOSHIBA
dmi.board.version: Base Board Version
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacturer
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnINSYDE:bvr1.30:bd08/05/2009:svnTOSHIBA:pnSatelliteL510:pvrPSLF8G-00P005:rvnTOSHIBA:rnPortablePC:rvrBaseBoardVersion:cvnChassisManufacturer:ct10:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: Satellite L510
dmi.product.version: PSLF8G-00P005
dmi.sys.vendor: TOSHIBA