[Bug 1396379] Re: installer uses first EFI system partition found even when directed otherwise

[Ben Fritz]

Tim, I'll refer you to my earlier response to you on this exact same
question 1 year ago: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub-efi-
amd64-signed/+bug/1396379/comments/61

This bug DOES clobber boot setups.

In my specific example, I was trying to leave the laptop untouched. The
Windows bootloader would remain untouched on the laptop built-in
storage. I would change BIOS settings to prefer USB boot, and install
Ubuntu to a USB stick. The GRUB setup on the USB stick would ONLY have
Ubuntu configured. Intended end result: boot with USB plugged in, system
acts like it only has Ubuntu and boots immediately into Ubuntu. Boot
without USB: system acts like it only has Windows installed and boots
directly to Windows with no delay.

Actual result: Windows bootloader overwritten with a grub config
containing only Ubuntu. Windows is completely unable to boot. Ubuntu is
completely unable to boot unless the USB is plugged in.

I see no way to spin this as not clobbering data.

I was able to recover in the end, I can't remember how, probably I used
Windows repair on bootable Windows install media. Years later, now, the
laptop actually has Xubuntu installed directly with no trace of Windows
at all. But at the time it was infuriating. I "ruined" my kid's laptop
trying to do things in a way I perceived as minimal risk, double- and
triple-checking the installer settings to make absolutely certain I
wasn't touching the main laptop storage.

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Title:
  installer uses first EFI system partition found even when directed
  otherwise

Status in grub-efi-amd64-signed package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed
Status in ubiquity package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  (k)ubuntu 14.04.1
  package version: 2.02~beta2-9ubuntu1

  i installed ubuntu on my external hard disk, where i also have a previously installed fedora system. i also have a windows
  (efi-booted) system in the internal hard disk.

  at install time via ubiquity i get all grub configuration files in the first EFI-labelled partition (i.e. /dev/sda2 in my case) instead of the one i selected (/dev/sdb1).
  later i changed my fstab mounting /boot/efi on /dev/sdb1 and tried to reinstall grub package (apt-get install --reinstall grub-efi-amd64); now all grub configuration files are in the rigt place, but booting from the external hard disk still shows the fedora grub installation, while selectin the internal hard disk from the bios menu shows a submenu listing ubuntu and windows.
  explicitly installing grub in the correct disk (grub-install /dev/sdb; grub-mkconfig -o /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu/grub.cfg) has no effect, nor it has running efibootmgr (efibootmgr -c --disk /dev/sdb --part 1).

  expected results: grub shoud have been installed in the disk/partition i chose;
  actual results: ubuntu always chooses the first disk to install grub on.

  Note that this is not just about the dummy grub install location
  selector that is not used in EFI mode, but configuring one partition
  as do not use, and the other as ESP in the manual partitioning screen.

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