testing with 2.4.9 ppp apt-get upgrade errors

["Mark Robinson" <mark.robinson@paradise.net.nz>]

Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 31851 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace ppp 2.4.1-4 (using .../ppp_2.4.1.uus-1_i386.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement ppp ...
depmod: Unexpected value (20) in
'/lib/modules/2.4.9-586tsc/kernel/drivers/ieee1394/sbp2.o' for
ieee1394_device_size
        It is likely that the kernel structure has changed, if so then
        you probably need a new version of modutils to handle this kernel.
        Check linux/Documentation/Changes.
dpkg: warning - old post-removal script returned error exit status 255
dpkg - trying script from the new package instead ...
depmod: Unexpected value (20) in
'/lib/modules/2.4.9-586tsc/kernel/drivers/ieee1394/sbp2.o' for
ieee1394_device_size
        It is likely that the kernel structure has changed, if so then
        you probably need a new version of modutils to handle this kernel.
        Check linux/Documentation/Changes.
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/ppp_2.4.1.uus-1_i386.deb
(--unpack):
 subprocess new post-removal script returned error exit status 255
depmod: Unexpected value (20) in
'/lib/modules/2.4.9-586tsc/kernel/drivers/ieee1394/sbp2.o' for
ieee1394_device_size
        It is likely that the kernel structure has changed, if so then
        you probably need a new version of modutils to handle this kernel.
        Check linux/Documentation/Changes.
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess post-removal script returned error exit status 255
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/ppp_2.4.1.uus-1_i386.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

I'm not actually using ppp any more which is a good thing, but it won't let
me remove it either (package is too messed up to remove), and it appears the
problem is at least partly elsewhere.

Any pointers to a resolution appreciated.

Mark