[Bug 1265192] Re: Reinstallation wipes out all/other partitions

[R.C. Primak]

Re-reading this thread, I see that what the installer is doing could be
unexpected. It isn't the same as Widnows installers, which generally
only by default destroy a targeted partition rather than the entire
disk. In either event, I recall there is at least one warning.

For installing Ubuntu, the post by Chris Bainbridge seems to cover most
of the issue.

But after the warning message is shown, users should have something like
three options:

I know what I'm doing. Continue.
Use Custom Install to select Partitions to be overwritten.
Cancel and Exit Installer.

Something like that.

And my apologies for not realising that this behavior does differ from
what I as a long-time Windows  user (but new to Ubuntu) would expect to
be the default action of a well-written installer.

The most important thing is to get everyone of whatever background onto
the same page in thinking about what is about to be done by the
installer as quickly as possible during the installation process.

Ubuntu does not have to do everything the way Windows does it, but if we
are going to be different, we should let people know about the
differences when possible.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1265192

Title:
  Reinstallation wipes out all/other partitions

Status in “ubiquity” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged
Status in “ubiquity” source package in Trusty:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Brand new Samsung laptop with UEFI. I had installed 13.04 Ubuntu but on reboot I never saw the 'grub' style menu. It just kept going into Windows 8.1.  So I got the 13.10 version (64 bit) and choose "Reinstall Ubuntu" (That may not be the exact text)
  It removed all the partiions including the recovery partitions. I do have a backup for the windows install, but I was very surprised that this happened.
  On a positive note I now have Ububtu up and running on my machine. 
  This is not my first time with Ubuntu. I have installed Ubuntu alongside WinXp, Vista and Windows 7. I've used Ubuntu desktop for over 6 years.
  If you would like me to try something to replicate this. .. I could shrink my existing partion make another one - reinstall and see if it whacks that one. I can do this now .. I'm still moving into this laptop so starting over is not so bad.

  Steve Devine

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