GNU bug report logs - #35541
Installer does not add %base-packages

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Message #5 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
To: bug-guix <at> gnu.org
Subject: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 3 May 2019 10:56:55 +0200

When and only when the Newt installer creates a packages field in the
operating-system configuration e.g. for nss-certs, it does not add
%base-packages to the packages field.  (When no packages field is
created, %base-packages is added by default.)

Message #8 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 12:08:32 +0200

"pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:

> When and only when the Newt installer creates a packages field in the
> operating-system configuration e.g. for nss-certs, it does not add
> %base-packages to the packages field.  (When no packages field is
> created, %base-packages is added by default.)

Ouch!  That renders the installed system unusable, right?

Ludo’.

Message #13 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org,
 "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 12:26:02 +0200

Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> writes:

> "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:
>
>> When and only when the Newt installer creates a packages field in the
>> operating-system configuration e.g. for nss-certs, it does not add
>> %base-packages to the packages field.  (When no packages field is
>> created, %base-packages is added by default.)
>
> Ouch!  That renders the installed system unusable, right?

This might explain a report that we’ve seen on IRC on release day where
a person was unable to use coreutils.  So yes, the system would be
hardly usable.

-- 
Ricardo

Message #16 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 12:30:46 +0200

Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> skribis:

> "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:
>
>> When and only when the Newt installer creates a packages field in the
>> operating-system configuration e.g. for nss-certs, it does not add
>> %base-packages to the packages field.  (When no packages field is
>> created, %base-packages is added by default.)
>
> Ouch!  That renders the installed system unusable, right?

I did a full install for a bare-bones-like system with ‘nss-certs’
selected during the install.  The resulting system has only ‘guix’ and
‘herd’ as useful commands in /run/current-system/profile/bin.

You can log in but Coreutils commands etc. are missing.  You can run:

  guix install coreutils grep sed findutils

which solves the problem.

It’s a serious issue nonetheless.  :-/

Ludo’.

Message #19 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 13:52:32 +0200

"pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:

> When and only when the Newt installer creates a packages field in the
> operating-system configuration e.g. for nss-certs, it does not add
> %base-packages to the packages field.  (When no packages field is
> created, %base-packages is added by default.)

This is fixed here:

  https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/guix.git/commit/?id=ecb0df6817eb3767e6b4dcf1945f3c2dfbe3b44f

I’m keeping the bug open until we’ve come up with a plan.

Ludo’.

Message #22 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org,
 "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 13:59:13 +0200

Hello,

I’d like us to better estimate the impact, communicate about
workarounds, and have a bug-fix release plan.

Like I wrote, in a bare-bones installation, Coreutils & co. are missing,
but one can work around it by running, say:

  guix install coreutils grep sed findutils

(Programs like ‘sudo’ and ‘passwd’ are available despite the bug because
they are in /run/setuid-programs.)

Has anyone tried on a GNOME, Xfce, or ratpoison install?  I wonder if
the problem is visible there (until you open a terminal, that is.)

I think we should email info-guix <at> gnu.org and possibly write a post on
the blog within at most two days with an explanation of the issue,
workarounds, proper fix (which is to edit the config file and
reconfigure), and an ETA for the bug-fix release.

Thoughts?

Ludo’.

Message #25 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 12:08:21 -0400

Hi Ludo,

Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> writes:

> Has anyone tried on a GNOME, Xfce, or ratpoison install?  I wonder if
> the problem is visible there (until you open a terminal, that is.)

I just tried Xfce and it does not work.  Adding “%base-packages” back
into the config from the terminal fixed it, though.


-- Tim

Message #28 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 14:42:20 -0400

Hi,

Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com> writes:

> Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> writes:
>
>> Has anyone tried on a GNOME, Xfce, or ratpoison install?  I wonder if
>> the problem is visible there (until you open a terminal, that is.)
>
> I just tried Xfce and it does not work.  Adding “%base-packages” back
> into the config from the terminal fixed it, though.

Just finished testing GNOME and it works.


-- Tim

Message #31 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 21:19:48 +0200

Hi Tim,

Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com> skribis:

> Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> writes:
>
>> Has anyone tried on a GNOME, Xfce, or ratpoison install?  I wonder if
>> the problem is visible there (until you open a terminal, that is.)
>
> I just tried Xfce and it does not work.

As in you can’t log in at all?

> Just finished testing GNOME and it works.

OK.

Thanks for testing,
Ludo’.

Message #34 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Fri, 03 May 2019 16:39:30 -0400

Hi,

> Timothy Sample <samplet <at> ngyro.com> skribis:
>
>> Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> writes:
>>
>>> Has anyone tried on a GNOME, Xfce, or ratpoison install?  I wonder if
>>> the problem is visible there (until you open a terminal, that is.)
>>
>> I just tried Xfce and it does not work.
>
> As in you can’t log in at all?

Exactly.  It kicks me back out to GDM immediately.  I assume that
“xfce4-session” tries to find some utility in $PATH and fails when it
can’t find it.


-- Tim

Message #37 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org,
 "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Sat, 04 May 2019 14:40:30 +0200

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

Hello,

Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> skribis:

> I think we should email info-guix <at> gnu.org and possibly write a post on
> the blog within at most two days with an explanation of the issue,
> workarounds, proper fix (which is to edit the config file and
> reconfigure), and an ETA for the bug-fix release.

Unless there are objections, I will apply the patch below to the manual
in the ‘version-1.0.0’ branch and update the on-line copies of the
manual.  That way the issue and workaround should be immediately visible
to someone who follows the “Installation instructions” link on the
download page.  (This text won’t be translated, but we’ll have to live
with it I guess.)

I’ll also send roughly the same text to info-guix.

Please tell me what you think!

I think we can publish a release in two to four weeks.  It should be an
easier one anyway.  We should take advantage of that time to gather
installation bug reports and to address them, and also to see how we can
automate the release process further.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ludo’.

[Message part 2 (text/x-patch, inline)]

diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 3b0517c5e3..2f1caf4659 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -1774,6 +1774,11 @@ on a machine.  Guix, as a package manager, can
 also be installed on top of a running GNU/Linux system,
 @pxref{Installation}.
 
+@quotation Important Note
+@xref{Guided Graphical Installation}, on how to work around a bug that affects
+the graphical installer in version 1.0.0.
+@end quotation
+
 @ifinfo
 @quotation Note
 @c This paragraph is for people reading this from tty2 of the
@@ -1992,6 +1997,56 @@ dependencies of your system configuration can be downloaded.  See the
 The graphical installer is a text-based user interface.  It will guide you,
 with dialog boxes, through the steps needed to install GNU <at> tie{}Guix System.
 
+@quotation Important Note
+Due to a @uref{https://issues.guix.info/issue/35541, bug}, the graphical
+installer of Guix 1.0.0 may produce a system configuration where essential
+commands such as @command{ls} or @command{grep} are missing.  A new release
+will be published in the coming weeks.  Here is how you can work around it in
+the meantime on your freshly installed system:
+
+@itemize
+@item
+Install packages that provide those commands, along with the text editor of
+your choice (for example, @code{emacs} or @code{vim}):
+
+@example
+guix install coreutils findutils grep procps sed emacs vim
+@end example
+
+At this point, the essential commands you would expect are available.
+
+@item
+Open your configuration file with your editor of choice, for example
+@command{emacs}, running as root:
+
+@example
+sudo emacs /etc/config.scm
+@end example
+
+@item
+Change the @code{packages} field to add the ``base packages'' to the list of
+globally-installed packages, such that your configuration looks like this:
+
+@lisp
+(operating-system
+  ;; ... snip ...
+  (packages (append (list (specification->package "nss-certs"))
+                    %base-packages))
+  ;; ... snip ...
+  )
+@end lisp
+
+@item
+Reconfigure the system so that your new configuration is in effect:
+
+@example
+sudo guix system reconfigure /etc/config.scm
+@end example
+@end itemize
+
+We apologize for this embarrassing mistake that we made.
+@end quotation
+
 The first dialog boxes allow you to set up the system as you use it during the
 installation: you can choose the language, keyboard layout, and set up
 networking, which will be used during the installation.  The image below shows

Message #40 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Sat, 4 May 2019 15:32:19 +0200

On Sat, May 04, 2019 at 02:40:30PM +0200, Ludovic Courtès wrote:
> Please tell me what you think!
> 

It is a good text.  However, I find it more tragic that Xfce and MATE
do not work than that these commands are missing until installed, but
it depends on the audience I guess.

Regards,
Florian

Message #43 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Sat, 04 May 2019 16:54:23 +0200

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

"pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:

> On Sat, May 04, 2019 at 02:40:30PM +0200, Ludovic Courtès wrote:
>> Please tell me what you think!
>> 
>
> It is a good text.  However, I find it more tragic that Xfce and MATE
> do not work than that these commands are missing until installed, but
> it depends on the audience I guess.

Yeah, but note that the Xfce failure is due to this bug (confirmed by
running ‘guix system vm desktop.tmpl’ with the attached patch.)

Thanks,
Ludo’.

[Message part 2 (text/x-patch, inline)]

diff --git a/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl b/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl
index 3931bad60d..ff6e4e37dd 100644
--- a/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl
+++ b/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl
@@ -45,18 +45,14 @@
   (users (cons (user-account
                 (name "bob")
                 (comment "Alice's brother")
+                (password (crypt "foo" "$6$abc"))
                 (group "users")
                 (supplementary-groups '("wheel" "netdev"
                                         "audio" "video")))
                %base-user-accounts))
 
   ;; This is where we specify system-wide packages.
-  (packages (append (list
-                     ;; for HTTPS access
-                     nss-certs
-                     ;; for user mounts
-                     gvfs)
-                    %base-packages))
+  (packages '())
 
   ;; Add GNOME and Xfce---we can choose at the log-in screen
   ;; by clicking the gear.  Use the "desktop" services, which

Message #46 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Sat, 4 May 2019 17:03:39 +0200

On Sat, May 04, 2019 at 04:54:23PM +0200, Ludovic Courtès wrote:
> "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:
> > On Sat, May 04, 2019 at 02:40:30PM +0200, Ludovic Courtès wrote:
> >> Please tell me what you think!
> >> 
> >
> > It is a good text.  However, I find it more tragic that Xfce and MATE
> > do not work than that these commands are missing until installed, but
> > it depends on the audience I guess.
> 
> Yeah, but note that the Xfce failure is due to this bug (confirmed by
> running ‘guix system vm desktop.tmpl’ with the attached patch.)
> 

Hmm.  Maybe mention that it fixes Xfce then.

Regards,
Florian

Message #49 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>
To: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
Cc: 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org,
 "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Sat, 04 May 2019 18:49:09 +0200

Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> writes:

> Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org> skribis:
>
>> I think we should email info-guix <at> gnu.org and possibly write a post on
>> the blog within at most two days with an explanation of the issue,
>> workarounds, proper fix (which is to edit the config file and
>> reconfigure), and an ETA for the bug-fix release.
>
> Unless there are objections, I will apply the patch below to the manual
> in the ‘version-1.0.0’ branch and update the on-line copies of the
> manual.  That way the issue and workaround should be immediately visible
> to someone who follows the “Installation instructions” link on the
> download page.  (This text won’t be translated, but we’ll have to live
> with it I guess.)
>
> I’ll also send roughly the same text to info-guix.
>
> Please tell me what you think!

This looks good.  I just have a tiny nit to pick:

> +We apologize for this embarrassing mistake that we made.

I’d remove “that we made”.

I’m looking forward to 1.0.1 :)

-- 
Ricardo

Message #52 received at 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Ludovic Courtès <ludo <at> gnu.org>
To: "pelzflorian \(Florian Pelz\)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de>
Cc: Ricardo Wurmus <rekado <at> elephly.net>, 35541 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#35541: Installer does not add %base-packages
Date: Sat, 04 May 2019 23:16:58 +0200

"pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:

> On Sat, May 04, 2019 at 04:54:23PM +0200, Ludovic Courtès wrote:
>> "pelzflorian (Florian Pelz)" <pelzflorian <at> pelzflorian.de> skribis:
>> > On Sat, May 04, 2019 at 02:40:30PM +0200, Ludovic Courtès wrote:
>> >> Please tell me what you think!
>> >> 
>> >
>> > It is a good text.  However, I find it more tragic that Xfce and MATE
>> > do not work than that these commands are missing until installed, but
>> > it depends on the audience I guess.
>> 
>> Yeah, but note that the Xfce failure is due to this bug (confirmed by
>> running ‘guix system vm desktop.tmpl’ with the attached patch.)
>> 
>
> Hmm.  Maybe mention that it fixes Xfce then.

Done, pushed to ‘version-1.0.0’, and published:

  https://gnu.org/software/guix/manual/en/html_node/Guided-Graphical-Installation.html

Ludo’.

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