Bug#631224: Whether should grub2 write MBR automatic

[Ben Hutchings]

On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 09:08:01PM +0200, Bastian Blank wrote:
> On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 05:07:52AM +0100, Ben Hutchings wrote:
> >                                           And the first behaviour is
> > definitely the correct default, as installing a boot loader package
> > almost always means you want to install the boot loader in the boot
> > sector.
> 
> The boot sector does not belong to the current system.

It usually belongs to one installed system per machine.  And most
machines only have one installed system.  GRUB asks at installation
time which boot sector(s) to install on and that is how you decide
whether the current system owns them or not.

[...]
> > What is your use case for the second behaviour?
> 
> If it breaks existing system, this is rather irrelevant.

Given the right (wrong) configuration, any package installation can
break the system.  The package maintainer cannot or should not be
asked to second-guess the configuration on upgrade.

Ben.

-- 
Ben Hutchings
We get into the habit of living before acquiring the habit of thinking.
                                                              - Albert Camus