Installer should not list removable media in /etc/fstab
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
usb-creator |
Invalid
|
Undecided
|
Unassigned | ||
partman-target (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Ubuntu Installer Team | ||
Intrepid |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Ubuntu Installer Team | ||
ubiquity (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Unassigned | ||
Intrepid |
Fix Released
|
High
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
Binary package hint: ubiquity
When installing Ubuntu from a USB CDROM drive (common on small laptops), the drive is given a line in /etc/fstab. After installation, the drive is removed. The same device number is then subsequently assigned to the first flash drive inserted into the system. The OS attempts to mount the drive as cdfs without attempting automatic detection, which fails. This confuses non-technical users, leading to a negative user experience. Although this is easily fixed by a sudoer familiar with /etc/fstab, it could be confusing and crippling for other users.
Suggested solutions :
a) Since optical media are automatically mounted in a typical install, do not place a line in /etc/fstab for the drive.
b) Detect removable drives during install process and omit lines for them in /etc/fstab
- corollary ; if I install on a system with a flash drive in a USB port, does that drive gain it's own permanent fstab entry?
c) If b) impossible, and a) undesirable, prompt the user during install process to confirm which (if any) drives represent removable units.
d) Assign device numbers more intelligently
Changed in ubiquity: | |
status: | New → Invalid |
Changed in partman-target: | |
assignee: | nobody → ubuntu-installer |
Changed in ubiquity: | |
importance: | Undecided → High |
milestone: | none → ubuntu-8.10 |
status: | Invalid → Fix Committed |
I'm the submitter of duplicate bug #175165. I would respectfully like to nominate alternative (b) as the preferred fix, and put that in the title of this bug. If there are objections, please raise them here. Thanks.