Comment 24 for bug 155047

Sorry, just red this
having exactly the described problem with:

Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic - intrepid

gparted 0.3.8
(parted 1.8.8.git.2008.03.24-7ubuntu7 intrepid)

hangs on device scan. Even closing the gparted-window doesn't stop the processor from getting busier and busier (or the fan from working harder and harder)
on restarting:
error: libhal_acquire_global_interface_lock: org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.InterfaceAlreadyLocked: The interface org.freedeskdesktop.Hal.Device.Storage is already exclusively locked either by someone else or it's already locked by yourself
only reboot can reset this

100% reproducible