[Bug 1266437] Re: Ubuntu installation wipes windows 8 recovery partitions

[Dan Sufho]

I discovered a method to get your windows back in (almost) legal way if
you don't have any recovery media. The product key for preinstalled
windows is now stored in BIOS. You need to find windows 8 iso on the
internet (it needs to be an OEM version) and then just install windows
using this iso, either by burning it on a CD or on a pendrive. It won't
ask you for a product key because it will get it from the BIOS. I'm sure
the iso I found was not cracked because I tried installing it on a
virtual machine and somewhere in the beggining was asked for a product
key. I suggest to check the found iso before installation.

In the description I mentioned I don't have any logs now, my ubuntu
partition is now overwritten by windows 8 but I hope other people
affected by this bug can give the logs.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1266437

Title:
  Ubuntu installation wipes windows 8 recovery partitions

Status in “ubiquity” package in Ubuntu:
  Incomplete

Bug description:
  I wanted to reinstall ubuntu on my laptop. Here is the partition table
  as I remember before the installation:

  1. 100MB - EFI
  2. 900MB - windows8 recovery partition with label "Recovery"
  3. ~150GB - windows 8
  4. ~130-150GB - Ubuntu
  5. ~300MB - another recovery partition which was probably created after windows8.1 update
  6. ~350-400GB - Data
  7. ~20GB - another recovery partition with label "Restore"

  In the installer I chose this option: "Erase Ubuntu 13.10 and
  reinstall" with the text "Warning: This will delete all your Ubuntu
  13.10 programs, documents, photos, music, and any other files" under
  it. I was sure it will only touch Ubuntu partition (4th one)

  This is how the partition table looked after reinstallation:

  1. ~500MB - EFI
  2. ~700-750GB Ubuntu
  3. ~8GB swap

  As you see it wiped all of my partitions including the recovery ones.
  Now I'm left without windows and I don't have any backup/recovery
  media. Ubuntu should not even touch recovery partitions or ask user if
  he wants to remove them.

  Unfortunately I can't give any log files beacuse I have alredy deleted
  ubuntu partition in order to try to restore my recovery partitions. I
  did it but due to the swap partition windows image was corrupted.

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