[Pkg-sysvinit-devel] Bug#586709: Incorrect behavior when HALT=halt is set in /etc/default/halt

[Daniel Richard G.]

Package: sysvinit
Version: 2.88dsf-9

(Note: This bug may also be applicable to the "initscripts" package,
which owns the /etc/default/halt config file.)

Normally, when /etc/default/halt specifies HALT=poweroff, invoking
"halt" or "poweroff" results in the system powering off. I want the more
traditional behavior, however, where "halt" halts the system (but does
not power it off), and "poweroff" works as usual. So I set HALT=halt.

With that set, however, I observe the following:

    "halt"..............: Halts the system (correct)
    "halt -p"...........: Halts the system (WRONG)
    "poweroff"..........: Halts the system (WRONG)
    "shutdown -h -P now": Powers off the system (correct)

It's not impossible to power off the system, but the normal/convenient
means of doing so don't actually work.