[Bug 1068879] Re: parted fails removing flag from empty partition

[Phillip Susi]

This is because as far as parted is concerned, that partition does not
exist as type code 0 means the slot is unused.  The kernel and util-
linux's fdisk seem to accept the entry with this type code, though it is
unclear why.


** Summary changed:

- parted fails removing flag from empty partition
+ parted considers type code 0 to be unused

** Changed in: parted (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => Triaged

** Changed in: parted (Ubuntu)
   Importance: Undecided => Wishlist

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1068879

Title:
  parted considers type code 0 to be unused

Status in “parted” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Reported by Alan by email:

  INITIAL SITUATION:
  ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ sudo fdisk -lu
  Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
  255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 sectors
  Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
  Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
  I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
  Disk identifier: 0x1dd83334
     Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
  /dev/sda1   *          44          44           0    0  Empty
  /dev/sda2              63       80324       40131   de  Dell Utility
  /dev/sda3           81920    30801919    15360000    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
  /dev/sda4   *    30801920  1890608551   929903316    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

  
  OBSERVED PROBLEM:
  parted can't remove the 'boot' flag from sda1. (this prevents Windows from booting)
  $parted /dev/sda set 1 boot off                                                                       
  Error: Partition doesn't exist.

  WORKAROUND:
  fdisk can do the trick.
  $sudo fdisk /dev/sda
  then press 'a', choose the partition (press '1'), press 'w'.

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