[Bug 2058638] Re: User account is missing from /etc/shadow & /etc/passwd

[alexbobp]

This "fix" caused me a massive headache, and one that I consider
unjustified, because my workflow never could have actually triggered
this issue, but I was still forced to format.

My workflow when reinstalling is to mount the target partition, make a
/old directory, and move the entire contents of the filesystem into that
directory, before proceeding to unmount the target and install without
formatting.  This way, I have a totally clean new system, but can access
my old files post-install as needed and restore what I want.  I have
done this many times, across decades of using linux, across multiple
distros.

For me to be forced to format out of fear that I might make a mistake
seems...  not in the spirit of linux.  This could have easily been a
warning noting that the functionality of installing over an existing
install is not currently working.  Or if that still feels too risky,
perhaps the workaround should actually check whether any expected system
directories are present at all, and only force formatting in that case.

There could be various other reasons for someone to need to install
without formatting, such as if they had a need to choose a block size
based on the intended use case for that machine/filesystem.  I don't
understand why it seemed like an acceptable option to *force* users like
this.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2058638

Title:
  User account is missing from /etc/shadow & /etc/passwd

Status in ubuntu-desktop-provision:
  Fix Released
Status in subiquity package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  This has been attempted a number of times, using various ISOs, after
  each time I'm unable to login on booting the newly installed xubuntu
  noble system.

  install to 
  - hp dc7700 (c2d-e6230, 7gb, amd/ati rv610/radeon hd2400 pro/xt)

  to re-create I

  - boot current daily
  - select manual partitioning
  - re-use the '/' partition (80GB drive & single partition), NO FORMAT
  - install (options here don't matter, eg. full install, select to add additional options usually, I have internet connected)
  - username is "guiverc" and my password is "please" each time  (I ignore warning about 'WEAK' password)

  install completes, I then reboot

  ** expected outcome

  System boots; DM asks me to login saying "Other"   (I expected
  'guiverc' and only to enter my password; but okay)..

  On entry of my username "guiverc" & password "please" I expect to
  login

  ** actual outcome

  I enter username "guiverc" and password "please" but I cannot login

  I switch to text terminal, and "guiverc" & "password" aren't accepted
  there either.

  ** additional notes.

  I've tried this with ENGLISH(US) and ENGLISH(AU) (aussie) and same
  result for both.

  Machine is really old BIOS only box.

  If I FORMAT instead of NO-FORMAT I don't have this problem though.. It
  appears to occur only when I don't format (and I don't want to format
  for this type of install!)

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