Possible Issue with Calamares & Separate Root & Home Partitions

Coffee break
1

Okay…so background info first. I’ve been working on an install script for myself to aid in any potential reinstalls that I might need to do down the line. After finishing things up, I did a reinstall of ROME on both my laptop and my desktop. My laptop already had ROME installed with a btrfs filesystem with separate root and home partitions to help out with backing things up using grub-btrfs/timeshift-autosnap. So, for my reinstall on my laptop, my plan was to keep my home directory and only reinstall my root directory.

When I went through the Calamares installer, I tried going with the “Replace a Partition” option in the below screenshot, and I selected the root partition as the one to replace.

Screenshot_20250815_154907
Screenshot_20250815_1549071108×602 140 KB

When I reached the Summary page of the installer, I noticed that there was nothing about the home partition mentioned, but I figured that, since I wasn’t replacing it, the fact that it wasn’t mentioned was fine.

Screenshot_20250815_154952
Screenshot_20250815_1549521121×779 192 KB

So, I went ahead with the install, everything went fine, and then I booted into my fresh install. Here, I noticed that my old home partition wasn’t mounted, and that a new home directory was made within the root directory. I could manually mount my old home partition to use it, but I didn’t want to have to do that every time I reboot my system. So, I did a second reinstall, but chose to do things Manually, and everything worked out fine.

I’m posting this here to mention that there might be something configured incorrectly with the Calamares installer. If you do a reinstall, select Manual partitioning, and then set things how you need them (by choosing to replace or keep specific partitions), everything works fine and the home directory will mount automatically. If you choose to Replace a partition, though, unless you’re replacing your home partition, it won’t mount automatically.

I posted this here in Coffee chat because I wasn’t sure where I should post it. I don’t need any support, as I worked it out on my own. I mostly just wanted to post this in case anyone in the future is looking to do a reinstall and wants to hold onto their home partition. For now, at least, choosing “Replace” isn’t the way to go. Go the Manual route to avoid any issues. :+1:

1 Like
2

I think that unless you’re starting with a blank disk, or one that doesn’t have any data that you want to keep on it, go Manual. I would only use Auto to wipe the disk, reformat and do a totally fresh install.
Just my opinion.

3

Very true. I will say, though, that it would be nice if someone could just choose the “replace” option and have the installer set everything else up. That was kind of the point of my post…to warn people against using it right now and then to see if there’s anything that can be done about how the “replace” option is set up within Calamares.

4

It seems like the “replace” option is assuming you have a dual-boot system rather than a separate /home partition.

5

Got to agree - it’s been a long time since my install was anything other than:

  1. Load Live ISO
  2. Start install
  3. Select Manual Partitioning
  4. “Why can I never remember this?”
  5. Promise myself that this time I’ll take a photo
  6. Abandon install
  7. Load previous OS
  8. “What are the bash runes for seeing partition setup again?”
  9. Swear loudly and Install KDE Partition Manager
  10. Write it down on a post-it.
  11. Load Live ISO
  12. Do install using Manual partitioning.
  13. Enjoy new install
  14. Never take photo.
  15. Lose post-it
3 Likes
6

This is not an OpenMandriva issue.
Nor a Calamares issue in my opinion since it’s how it works by design.
Any problem with Calamares itself must be reported upstream, as well as any new feature request if you believe you can give useful suggestions, at their Issue Tracker.

We provide a good number of how-to and tips&tricks in Resources (if only users cared to read the f* documentation.. :roll_eyes:) also related to the system install.

1 Like