I had the same error message but found that mysql had actually installed! When I later rebooted the new version had replaced the old one in memory. So it was fine except that update manager still kept on insisting that I need to install this same security update. After I stopped mysql manually as above and ran the install this cleared up.
-- package mysql-server-5.1 5.1.37-1ubuntu5 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1 https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/520335 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
