Bug 519662

Summary:	"Replace existing Linux system" install option doesn't work as expected
Product:	[Fedora] Fedora	Reporter:	Milan Crha <mcrha>
Component:	anaconda	Assignee:	Anaconda Maintenance Team <anaconda-maint-list>
Status:	CLOSED NOTABUG	QA Contact:	Fedora Extras Quality Assurance <extras-qa>
Severity:	high	Docs Contact:
Priority:	low
Version:	11	CC:	anaconda-maint-list, vanmeeuwen+fedora
Target Milestone:	---
Target Release:	---
Hardware:	All
OS:	Linux
Whiteboard:
Fixed In Version:		Doc Type:	Bug Fix
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Clone Of:		Environment:
Last Closed:	2009-08-27 13:43:03 UTC	Type:	---
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Documentation:	---	CRM:
Verified Versions:		Category:	---
oVirt Team:	---	RHEL 7.3 requirements from Atomic Host:
Cloudforms Team:	---	Target Upstream Version:
Embargoed:

Description Milan Crha 2009-08-27 10:39:43 UTC

Subject says it all, "Replace existing Linux system" install option doesn't work as expected. What I'm expecting from this is that the installer will use the existing linux partitions to install the system on, moreover I'm expecting to use only those partitions related to the previous install only. I *had* a partition layout very simple, one root partition, one swap partition and one data partition where I *did* a backup of all important bits I wanted to save, to have a backup of my setup and home directory there, in case something with the reinstall of F10 to F11 will go wrong. First time ever I used this option, and I didn't check "Review and modify partitioning layout", because I thought I understand the option.

What happened was that the installed deleted *all* the partitions I *had* on my drive, thus all my backup and years of data are gone now! There were bits to which I do not have backup anywhere else! Then it created partitions to cover all the disk. Believe or not I would expect something like this from the "Use entire drive" option, but not from this one.

More than that the installer should ask not less than ten times the user whether he/she wants to delete all the partitions from the drive. Kinda foolish, I agree, but as long as the option doesn't do what its name suggests to do there is no better way.

Thus thank you all for loosing all my data in less than ten minutes. I had something to do, but now I have something else to do. Thanks for that once again.

Comment 1 Chris Lumens 2009-08-27 13:43:03 UTC

This works as expected - it removes all partitions containing a Linux filesystem and uses the new free space to create a new partition layout.  For more information, please see the installation guide:

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/install-guide/f11/en-US/html/s1-diskpartauto-x86.html

Remember that installation is a risky procedure to begin with, and you should always make backups of important data before continuing.  We're working on some improved wording for this screen likely for F13 to hopefully fix up the ambiguity you see, but it's definitely not going to involve changing the behavior of this option.

Comment 2 Milan Crha 2009-08-27 14:56:56 UTC

(In reply to comment #1)
> This works as expected - it removes all partitions containing a Linux
> filesystem and uses the new free space to create a new partition layout.

I see, mine understanding of "Linux system" is definitely different than yours.

> please see the installation guide:

I do not have available other machine to check anything online when installing, I even wouldn't think of anything like that having ready before installing.

> you should always make backups of important data before continuing

I did it, on a different partition than the system was, that's what makes me even more unhappy!

> ... improved wording ...

Yes, rewording sounds good, just do not forget to ask a user whether is sure or not, it's always better to ask twice than lost a single bit.