[Bug 987253] Re: Precise ubiquity used unintended space/partition

[Marcus Tomlinson]

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** Changed in: ubiquity (Ubuntu)
       Status: Confirmed => Incomplete

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Title:
  Precise ubiquity used unintended space/partition

Status in ubiquity package in Ubuntu:
  Incomplete

Bug description:
  Using Ubuntu 12.04 daily build cd 32 bit image  on date 2012 04 23

  During the early stage of install using choice 
  Install Alongside'
  I am fairly sure gparted indicated (looking during an early part of the installation process)  that a big unpartitioned space was at that time, indicated as 'Target'. 
  However, during the actual installation I did not notice any activity labelled as formatting' or 'making filesystem'. And when now finally running the installed ubuntu 12.04 as mentioned, the new install has been done OVER on top of the pre installed 12.04, I think without formatting. 
  This  makes some, if not perfect, sense. However, it means that it is doing quite a bit MORE than - installing 'alongside'. 
  But, installing silently OVER my test 12.04 as a warm reinstall is not quite what I had expected....

  This machine has  a complex hardware:
  It is a complex machine structure with four hard drives, multi booting from whichever grub was last used. XP and Win 7 also. There are many partitions, some used for backup reasons, and several large un partitioned unallocated spaces. The install seemed to be (initially) going ahead using a previously unallocated space of 86GB, which is nice because the ability to install easily into unallocated space had been missing for a few ubuntu versions. The install process went quickly. I would have been happier if I had been asked just to 'confirm my choice before fully proceeding to write to disc. I had intended only to go as far as the 'Confirm' point, because this machine is not yet fully imaged and wanted to avoid a big screw up without good preparation.

  Not only did I not see at any point  asking for a 'confirmation', but  an existing installation was overwritten!
  Background: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=11866394&postcount=3
  Other: 
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...ty/+bug/964331
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...331/comments/5
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...ty/+bug/766265


  
  Aside Note:
  I do like the idea of it installing alongside and silently using unpartitioned space, as long as it is an intended and proven function. Many newcomers will shrink Windows and then want to install alongside. If it is reliable, I can prompt those newcomers in that direction.

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