The problem is that the config files were being written when it crashed 
and the machine was unbootable in Ubuntu, though WinXP was still 
available. I deleted the partition (I use Knoppix for this sort of 
thing, mainly because I am familiar with its tools, though Dapper CD has 
similar tools), and another partition to create space in a new merged 
primary partition, then the install went OK from CD. Thus the files were 
toasted. Perhaps I should have used Knoppix to try to find the log 
files, but since they were likely unflushed, and unflushable, probably 
would not have helped. Running out of space really is nuisance because 
you lose not only the functionality but also the record of its loss. 
I've a number of war stories that are much worse than this from that 
perspective. (I built my first machine in 1962).

Pretty certain the problem is that the space estimation was a bit low. 
It was "writing config files" and showed 99% completion on the status 
graph when "disk full" errors started appearing. I had a bit over 3G on 
the partition at the time, but had installed some extra s/w in Breezy. 
Maybe that extra s/w was not being counted. Or the many updates to 
packages had added enough space to put things over the top. I should 
mention that my initial try of the "Upgrade" button on upgrade manager 
did say I needed to free space, which I did. On the subsequent try no 
complaints. Clearly not quite enough space though.

If it is the space calculation, and no obvious bugs, it may be simplest 
to put in a bigger allowance for fudge, and close the bug report. The 
bug is important mainly because it can trash a system. Telling someone 
to get more space is temporarily annoying, but does no damage. Disk 
settings (block sizes) can really make significant system-system 
differences in space requirements for the same set of files. Truthfully 
I've not even checked what my system is using, as space is not usually a 
problem, and allowing for super-tight packing is not a great idea.

Cheers,

JN
Pres. Ottawa Canada Linux User Group

PS System seems to be running fine. I now have 4 machines running 
Dapper. One other was also a raw install. One upgrade on another machine 
gave no problems. The 3rd machine was upgraded from the CD following 
instructions found on the website, as for some reason the "Upgrade 
dist." button did not get presented, just a msg that a distribution 
upgrade was available. Things went OK, though there was more manual 
intervention with that machine to set sources etc.

Michael Vogt wrote:
> Thanks for your bugreport.
> 
> Could you please attach the files from /var/log/dist-upgrade*.log to
> this bugreport? That will give me a better idea what went wrong.
> 
> ** Changed in: update-manager (Ubuntu)
>    Importance: Untriaged => High
>      Assignee: (unassigned) => Michael Vogt
>        Status: Unconfirmed => Needs Info
> 

-- 
John C. Nash, School of Management, University of Ottawa,
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"Practical Forecasting for Managers" web site is at
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