[Bug 1333462] [NEW] Precise: Linux partitioning tools give GPT Linux partitions wrong type code

[Rafael David Tinoco]

Public bug reported:

[Impact]

From: Rod Smith <rodsmith <at> rodsbooks.com>:
"""
This problem occurs because Linux partitioning tools (libparted and my own GPT fdisk) give Linux partitions the same partition type code GUID used by Windows for its filesystem partitions (EBD0A0A2-B9E5-4433-87C0-68B6B72699C7). Linux has its own GUID type codes for other partition types, such as RAID, LVM, and swap space.

Linux needs its own partition type code GUID for filesystem partitions
on GPT disks, much as it has its own MBR partition type code for
filesystems (0x83 on MBR). In Windows, using the same GUID type code for
Linux partitions that Windows uses for NTFS and FAT results in Linux
partitions appearing in the list of available disks. Using a unique type
code for Linux partitions, however, hides those partitions from Windows.

This is desirable because it's easy to accidentally trash a Linux partition in Windows by double-clicking it. (Windows DOES ask before formatting it, but a user who's confused, tired, distracted, etc., could easily make the wrong choice.)
"""

As a result, the grub menu end up with a "Windows option" because os-
prober detect a ntfs partition (in /usr/lib/os-
probes/mounted/20microsoft).

[Test Case]

### commands:

root at 12-04-precise-lts-amd64:~# parted /dev/vdb
GNU Parted 2.3
Using /dev/vdb
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) p
Error: /dev/vdb: unrecognised disk label
(parted) mklabel gpt
(parted) mkpart primary
File system type?  [ext2]?
Start? 1024B
End? 1070MB
(parted) p
Model: Virtio Block Device (virtblk)
Disk /dev/vdb: 1074MB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt

Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name     Flags
 1      17.4kB  1070MB  1070MB               primary

### confirming wrong default partition type

root at 12-04-precise-lts-amd64:~# gdisk /dev/vdb
...
Found valid GPT with protective MBR; using GPT.
...
Command (? for help): p
Disk /dev/vdb: 2097152 sectors, 1024.0 MiB
Logical sector size: 512 bytes
Disk identifier (GUID): B6D13DE1-2825-40D4-9D21-230E5E6F6EA0
...
Number  Start (sector)    End (sector)  Size       Code  Name
   1              34         2089843   1020.4 MiB  0700  primary
 
### 0700 = Microsoft basic data

[Regression Potential]

 * not determined yet.

[Other Info]

 * n/a

** Affects: parted (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
     Assignee: Rafael David Tinoco (inaddy)
         Status: In Progress

** Changed in: parted (Ubuntu)
     Assignee: (unassigned) => Rafael David Tinoco (inaddy)

** Changed in: parted (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => In Progress

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1333462

Title:
  Precise: Linux partitioning tools give GPT Linux partitions wrong type
  code

Status in “parted” package in Ubuntu:
  In Progress

Bug description:
  [Impact]

  From: Rod Smith <rodsmith <at> rodsbooks.com>:
  """
  This problem occurs because Linux partitioning tools (libparted and my own GPT fdisk) give Linux partitions the same partition type code GUID used by Windows for its filesystem partitions (EBD0A0A2-B9E5-4433-87C0-68B6B72699C7). Linux has its own GUID type codes for other partition types, such as RAID, LVM, and swap space.

  Linux needs its own partition type code GUID for filesystem partitions
  on GPT disks, much as it has its own MBR partition type code for
  filesystems (0x83 on MBR). In Windows, using the same GUID type code
  for Linux partitions that Windows uses for NTFS and FAT results in
  Linux partitions appearing in the list of available disks. Using a
  unique type code for Linux partitions, however, hides those partitions
  from Windows.

  This is desirable because it's easy to accidentally trash a Linux partition in Windows by double-clicking it. (Windows DOES ask before formatting it, but a user who's confused, tired, distracted, etc., could easily make the wrong choice.)
  """

  As a result, the grub menu end up with a "Windows option" because os-
  prober detect a ntfs partition (in /usr/lib/os-
  probes/mounted/20microsoft).

  [Test Case]

  ### commands:

  root at 12-04-precise-lts-amd64:~# parted /dev/vdb
  GNU Parted 2.3
  Using /dev/vdb
  Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
  (parted) p
  Error: /dev/vdb: unrecognised disk label
  (parted) mklabel gpt
  (parted) mkpart primary
  File system type?  [ext2]?
  Start? 1024B
  End? 1070MB
  (parted) p
  Model: Virtio Block Device (virtblk)
  Disk /dev/vdb: 1074MB
  Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
  Partition Table: gpt

  Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name     Flags
   1      17.4kB  1070MB  1070MB               primary

  ### confirming wrong default partition type

  root at 12-04-precise-lts-amd64:~# gdisk /dev/vdb
  ...
  Found valid GPT with protective MBR; using GPT.
  ...
  Command (? for help): p
  Disk /dev/vdb: 2097152 sectors, 1024.0 MiB
  Logical sector size: 512 bytes
  Disk identifier (GUID): B6D13DE1-2825-40D4-9D21-230E5E6F6EA0
  ...
  Number  Start (sector)    End (sector)  Size       Code  Name
     1              34         2089843   1020.4 MiB  0700  primary
   
  ### 0700 = Microsoft basic data

  [Regression Potential]

   * not determined yet.

  [Other Info]

   * n/a

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