Public bug reported: Downgrading from mysql-5.6 caused the error. Even after removing 5.6 there were residual files in /var/lib/mysql/ removing which resolved the issue.
ProblemType: Package DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04 Package: mysql-server-5.5 5.5.35+dfsg-1ubuntu1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-23.45-generic 3.13.8 Uname: Linux 3.13.0-23-generic x86_64 NonfreeKernelModules: wl ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu1 AptOrdering: mysql-server-core-5.6: Remove mysql-server-core-5.5: Install mysql-server-5.5: Install mysql-server-core-5.5: Configure mysql-server-5.5: Configure Architecture: amd64 Date: Thu Apr 17 16:11:26 2014 DuplicateSignature: package:mysql-server-5.5:5.5.35+dfsg-1ubuntu1:subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1 ErrorMessage: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1 InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-04-08 (8 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Daily amd64 (20140407) Logs.var.log.daemon.log: MySQLConf.etc.mysql.conf.d..keepme: MySQLConf.etc.mysql.conf.d.mysqld.safe.syslog.cnf: [mysqld_safe] syslog MySQLVarLibDirListing: ['ibdata1', 'ib_logfile1', 'mysql', 'performance_schema', 'mysql_upgrade_info', 'debian-5.5.flag', 'ib_logfile0'] ProcCmdline: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.13.0-23-generic root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7 SourcePackage: mysql-5.5 Title: package mysql-server-5.5 5.5.35+dfsg-1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1 UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) ** Affects: mysql-5.5 (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Tags: amd64 apport-package need-duplicate-check trusty -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Server Team, which is subscribed to mysql-5.5 in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1308965 Title: package mysql-server-5.5 5.5.35+dfsg-1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-installation script returned error exit status 1 To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mysql-5.5/+bug/1308965/+subscriptions -- Ubuntu-server-bugs mailing list Ubuntu-server-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-server-bugs