[Bug 1490824] [NEW] "unsafe swap space detected" error prevents encrypted install when swap partition exists

[mpb]

Public bug reported:

I am trying to install wily-desktop-i386.iso, downloaded on August 31.

I am trying to install onto a USB drive, sdc, with sdc1 being /boot and
sdc2 being a physical volume for encryption.

Also on this system is a hard drive, sda, with a previous Ubuntu
install, including a swap partition.

When I try to create a physical volume for encryption on sdc2, I am
prompted for a password.  After entering the password, the following
message is displayed:

"Unsafe swap space detected.  An unsafe swap space has been detected.
[snip]  Please disable the swap space (e.g. by running swapoff) ..."

The problem is, no matter how many times I run swapoff, ubiquity
reactivates the swap automatically and repeatedly.

For example, even if I run swapoff immediately prior to entering the
encryption password, ubiquity will reactivate the swap prior to creating
the physical volume for encryption, and the creation will again fail.

So...

1) It appears that swapoff is insufficient.  In reality, there must be
no visible swap partitions on the system.

2) The error message "Unsafe swap space detected" could certainly be
displayed prior to asking me to enter my password.

Either or both of these could be fixed.  Or the error message could be
updated to say: "Sorry, you cannot create encrypted partitions as long
as swap partitions are visible on this system."

Thanks!

** Affects: ubiquity (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Description changed:

  I am trying to install wily-desktop-i386.iso, downloaded on August 31.
  
  I am trying to install onto a USB drive, sdc, with sdc1 being /boot and
  sdc2 being a physical volume for encryption.
  
  Also on this system is a hard drive, sda, with a previous Ubuntu
  install, including a swap partition.
  
  When I try to create a physical volume for encryption on sdc2, I am
  prompted for a password.  After entering the password, the following
  message is displayed:
  
  "Unsafe swap space detected.  An unsafe swap space has been detected.
  [snip]  Please disable the swap space (e.g. by running swapoff) ..."
  
  The problem is, no matter how many times I run swapoff, ubiquity
  reactivates the swap automatically and repeatedly.
  
  For example, even if I run swapoff immediately prior to entering the
  encryption password, ubiquity will reactivate the swap prior to creating
- the physical volume for encryption, and the encryption will again fail.
+ the physical volume for encryption, and the creation will again fail.
  
  So...
  
  1) It appears that swapoff is insufficient.  In reality, there must be
  no visible swap partitions on the system.
  
  2) The error message "Unsafe swap space detected" could certainly be
  displayed prior to asking me to enter my password.
  
  Either or both of these could be fixed.  Or the error message could be
  updated to say: "Sorry, you cannot create encrypted partitions as long
  as swap partitions are visible on this system."
  
  Thanks!

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to ubiquity in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1490824

Title:
  "unsafe swap space detected" error prevents encrypted install when
  swap partition exists

Status in ubiquity package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  I am trying to install wily-desktop-i386.iso, downloaded on August 31.

  I am trying to install onto a USB drive, sdc, with sdc1 being /boot
  and sdc2 being a physical volume for encryption.

  Also on this system is a hard drive, sda, with a previous Ubuntu
  install, including a swap partition.

  When I try to create a physical volume for encryption on sdc2, I am
  prompted for a password.  After entering the password, the following
  message is displayed:

  "Unsafe swap space detected.  An unsafe swap space has been detected.
  [snip]  Please disable the swap space (e.g. by running swapoff) ..."

  The problem is, no matter how many times I run swapoff, ubiquity
  reactivates the swap automatically and repeatedly.

  For example, even if I run swapoff immediately prior to entering the
  encryption password, ubiquity will reactivate the swap prior to
  creating the physical volume for encryption, and the creation will
  again fail.

  So...

  1) It appears that swapoff is insufficient.  In reality, there must be
  no visible swap partitions on the system.

  2) The error message "Unsafe swap space detected" could certainly be
  displayed prior to asking me to enter my password.

  Either or both of these could be fixed.  Or the error message could be
  updated to say: "Sorry, you cannot create encrypted partitions as long
  as swap partitions are visible on this system."

  Thanks!

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+bug/1490824/+subscriptions