[Bug 1782029] [NEW] Fatal error: Unable to install GRUB in /dev/sda during Ubuntu 18.04 install (erasing previous incomplete install)

[Long Nguyen Huu]

Public bug reported:

Previously I had installed Elementary OS besides Windows 10, but I
erased the OS partition including some unknown 1 MB partition I assumed
to be related to grub. After doing this step, on boot, there was indeed
no grub and only the original Windows Boot Loader.

Then I started to install Ubuntu 18.04 from live USB but ubiquity
crashed after the partition step as it was busy with some events (maybe
because I was listening to music during the install with Rhythmbox's
radio). Trying to install again would result in a warning that a step
failed during last attempt when I reach the partition step, and that I
should either skip the test and run a risk of faulty install or retry
this step. But retrying this step would lead to the same popup again and
again.

I decided to start from scratch and install directly from USB without
the Live USB this time. The partition step finished correctly, then the
longer install step with the progress gauge, but at the end it crashed
with the said fatal error.

I don't know if the error is related to previous installs. I found some
patches on the installer but before I download them I wanted to be sure
I had the exact same error.

I found this: https://askubuntu.com/questions/459620/unable-to-install-
grub-in-dev-sda-when-installing-grub and will try some answers next
time.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: ubiquity 18.04.14
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-20.21-generic 4.15.17
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-20-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7
Architecture: amd64
CasperVersion: 1.394
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Mon Jul 16 23:10:16 2018
InstallCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity quiet splash ---
LiveMediaBuild: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180426)
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=en_US.UTF-8
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 LC_NUMERIC=C.UTF-8
SourcePackage: grub-installer
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

** Affects: grub-installer (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug bionic ubiquity-18.04.14 ubuntu

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1782029

Title:
  Fatal error: Unable to install GRUB in /dev/sda during Ubuntu 18.04
  install (erasing previous incomplete install)

Status in grub-installer package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Previously I had installed Elementary OS besides Windows 10, but I
  erased the OS partition including some unknown 1 MB partition I
  assumed to be related to grub. After doing this step, on boot, there
  was indeed no grub and only the original Windows Boot Loader.

  Then I started to install Ubuntu 18.04 from live USB but ubiquity
  crashed after the partition step as it was busy with some events
  (maybe because I was listening to music during the install with
  Rhythmbox's radio). Trying to install again would result in a warning
  that a step failed during last attempt when I reach the partition
  step, and that I should either skip the test and run a risk of faulty
  install or retry this step. But retrying this step would lead to the
  same popup again and again.

  I decided to start from scratch and install directly from USB without
  the Live USB this time. The partition step finished correctly, then
  the longer install step with the progress gauge, but at the end it
  crashed with the said fatal error.

  I don't know if the error is related to previous installs. I found
  some patches on the installer but before I download them I wanted to
  be sure I had the exact same error.

  I found this: https://askubuntu.com/questions/459620/unable-to-
  install-grub-in-dev-sda-when-installing-grub and will try some answers
  next time.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
  Package: ubiquity 18.04.14
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-20.21-generic 4.15.17
  Uname: Linux 4.15.0-20-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperVersion: 1.394
  CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
  Date: Mon Jul 16 23:10:16 2018
  InstallCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity quiet splash ---
  LiveMediaBuild: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180426)
  ProcEnviron:
   LANGUAGE=en_US.UTF-8
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
   LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   LC_NUMERIC=C.UTF-8
  SourcePackage: grub-installer
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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