Description of problem: 1. I've downloaded anaconda's vmlinuz and initrd.img 2. I've used the images for direct kernel boot of a VM, with boot=http://mirror.example.org/pub/fedora/fedora-alt/stage/18-Beta-TC1/Fedora/x86_64/os parameter -- the URI contains just anaconda, not yum repo 3. I've set up Time Zone and Partitioning; source was pre-selected to the closest mirror 4. anaconda threw and exception shortly after I hit "Continue" button Version-Release number of selected component: anaconda-18.11 Additional info: libreport version: 2.0.14 cmdline: /usr/bin/python /sbin/anaconda kernel: 3.6.0-1.fc18.x86_64 description: :The following was filed automatically by anaconda: :anaconda 18.11 exception report :Traceback (most recent call first): : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/rpmUtils/transaction.py", line 58, in dbMatch : mi = self.ts.dbMatch(*args, **kwds) : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/rpmsack.py", line 1212, in _get_packages : mi = ts.dbMatch(*args, **kwds) : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/rpmsack.py", line 628, in returnPackages : for hdr, idx in self._get_packages(): : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/rpmsack.py", line 1133, in simpleVersion : for pkg in sorted(self.returnPackages()): : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/rpmsack.py", line 977, in preloadPackageChecksums : rpmdbv = self.simpleVersion(main_only=True)[0] : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/rpmsack.py", line 264, in _get_pkglist : csumpkgtups = self.preloadPackageChecksums(load_packages=False) : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/rpmsack.py", line 507, in simplePkgList : return self.pkglist : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 948, in _getGroups : self._comps.compile(self.rpmdb.simplePkgList()) : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 1032, in <lambda> : comps = property(fget=lambda self: self._getGroups(), : File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 3527, in selectGroup : if not self.comps.has_group(grpid): : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/pyanaconda/packaging/yumpayload.py", line 922, in _selectYumGroup : self._yum.selectGroup(groupid, group_package_types=pkg_types) : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/pyanaconda/packaging/yumpayload.py", line 1029, in _applyYumSelections : self._selectYumGroup("core") : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/pyanaconda/packaging/yumpayload.py", line 1074, in checkSoftwareSelection : self._applyYumSelections() : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/pyanaconda/packaging/yumpayload.py", line 1143, in preInstall : self.checkSoftwareSelection() : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/pyanaconda/install.py", line 111, in doInstall : payload.preInstall(packages=packages, groups=payload.languageGroups(ksdata.lang.lang)) : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/threading.py", line 504, in run : self.__target(*self.__args, **self.__kwargs) : File "/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/pyanaconda/threads.py", line 87, in run : threading.Thread.run(self, *args, **kwargs) :error: rpmdb open failed
Created attachment 620936 [details] File: anaconda-tb
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Created attachment 620938 [details] File: type
Created attachment 620939 [details] File: storage.log
Created attachment 620940 [details] File: version
Created attachment 620941 [details] File: environ
Created attachment 620942 [details] File: anaconda.log
Created attachment 620943 [details] File: syslog
Created attachment 620944 [details] File: hashmarkername
Created attachment 620945 [details] File: packaging.log
Created attachment 620946 [details] File: cmdline_file
Created attachment 620947 [details] File: release
Created attachment 620948 [details] File: program.log
After a few tries, it seems that the bug is related to partitioning so the reproducer is like this: 1. pre-create GPT partition table 2. pre-create three partitions: BIOS Boot, swap and / 3. boot anaconda, select that you want to review & modify partitioning 4. in the root partition details, type "/" into Mountpoint input 5. finish partitioning 6. start installation The bug may be also connected to the lack of information about partition format status.
Discussed at 2012-10-03 blocker review meeting: http://meetbot.fedoraproject.org/fedora-qa/2012-10-03/f18-beta-blocker-review-2.2012-10-03-16.00.log.txt . We agreed that as the new partitioning criteria are written this constitutes a blocker, but in fact that is an unintended consequence, my fault for bad wording. We did not really intend the Beta criteria to cover re-use of existing partitions, only creation of new ones within anaconda. We agreed to postpone evaluation of this bug while I rework the criteria and we consider whether we do want to cover re-use of existing partitions, and if so, to what extent.
Discussed at 2012-10-10 blocker review meeting: http://meetbot.fedoraproject.org/fedora-qa/2012-10-10/f18beta-blocker-review-3.2012-10-10-16.05.log.txt . Unfortunately we didn't yet get around to re-considering this, so evaluation is delayed again till the next meeting.
*** Bug 866204 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Installation of default "GNOME Desktop" package set, onto an existing F17 x86_64 system with LVM partition setup. Package: anaconda-18.14 OS Release: Fedora release 18
Adjusting the summary to be clearer. Essentially this bug is that you can't use an existing partition as a mount point in the installed system and format it. You can give a mount point to an existing partition, but it will not be formatted. This obviously works for /home, but not for /. Workarounds are to format the partition with another tool before starting installation, or to delete the partition and create a new one with similar attributes once inside the installer.
Discussed at 2012-10-17 blocker review meeting: http://meetbot.fedoraproject.org/fedora-qa/2012-10-17/f18beta-blocker-review-4.2012-10-17-16.00.log.txt . We agreed that the Beta partitioning requirements are still not clear and there was not a clear consensus on whether this bug should be a blocker, so determination of its status was delayed again.
The simplest way to use an existing device as the root device is to change the filesystem type. It's not the final solution, but that's the simplest way to get it done now.
A "Reformat" checkbutton was added to anaconda-18.20-1.
Discussed again at the 2012-10-24 blocker review meeting: http://meetbot.fedoraproject.org/fedora-qa/2012-10-24/f18beta-blocker-review-5.2012-10-24-16.01.log.txt . We still haven't solidified the revision of the partitioning criteria for Beta, but there was solid agreement that whatever they wind up looking like, they shouldn't cover partition re-use beyond the common case of re-using /home without formatting it; anything beyond that is kind of out of scope for a Beta and there are many ways to work around this bug. So it was rejected as a Beta blocker.
This bug looks to have been fixed for many anaconda builds now but missed being closed. If you find you are still experiencing it with Fedora 18 Beta (RC1) or later, please re-open the bug. (well known to be fixed in current builds.)