Public bug reported:
I tried to install Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty) on my laptop, a Dell Precision
M20.
I was using a new 250GB drive, with Windows XP already installed.
The installer detected the Windows install and offered to set up
alongside Windows and even import the user settings - very nice touch
there.
Everything looked good until rebooting. Then, grub error 18. Not only
can I not boot Linux, my previous Windows install is now also
inaccessible. Indeed, as far as any non-expert knows, it is completely
destroyed.
This is *not* acceptable. The installer *must not ever* do this. The
stories that circulate, after it happens to someone trying Linux out for
the first time, do irreparable damage to the reputation of Ubuntu and of
Linux in general. Bugs like this stop bug #1 from ever being fixed. They
will not get reported, because the user now has no bootable system.
Sure, they can run the live CD they just tried to install off. Are they
likely to, now that it has just apparently nuked their machine?
Now, I know and you know what the issue is. The kernel and grub data has
been put beyond 137GB. If I go back and reinstall the whole thing,
putting a /boot partition at the start of the disk, it'll work. I looked
around: this bug gets reported all over the place, and always this
workaround has been suggested in response and the matter then considered
closed.
If Ubuntu needs a /boot partition at the start of the disk then the
installer should make one itself. If it can't do that because existing
partitions are in the way, then it should explain the problem and must
stop the installation.
** Affects: ubuntu
Importance: Undecided
Status: New
--
Installing next to Windows places Linux beyond 137GB and makes system
unbootable (grub error 18).
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/379348
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