I installed '/' on /dev/sdc. The installer defaulted to also install
grub there. I accepted. The system was not bootable.

The bios setup for boot device priority choice for
'hard drive' is limited to simply 'hard drive', which I
assume is the first hard drive.

I expected the default would create a bootable system.

I booted the install media and installed grub to /dev/sda.
The system then booted.

Perhaps there is some scenario where it would be desirable
to put grub on the drive with '/' even if it isn't the first drive,
but that certainly isn't the most common scenario.

I wish the installed would default to install grub to /dev/sda, regardless
of where '/' is.

Hi,

tom <mantrosheiser@yahoo.com> (2018-06-17):

Which Debian version and d-i version did you use? d-i defaults to “Enter
manually” to make sure we no longer present a default choice that could
be wrong and would be accepted without second thought. It's been the
case for two Debian releases if memory serves (Debian 8 & 9).


Cheers,

/dev/sdc  is the third "disk" found.

the bios is being harmfull by simplification

That wouldn't happen.


Regards
Geert Stappers

Control: reopen -1

} > The bios setup for boot device priority choice for
} > 'hard drive' is limited to simply 'hard drive', which I
} > assume is the first hard drive.
}
} the bios is being harmfull by simplification

IMNSHO the actual problem


} > I expected the default would create a bootable system.
} >
} > I booted the install media and installed grub to /dev/sda.
} > The system then booted.
} >
} > Perhaps there is some scenario where it would be desirable
} > to put grub on the drive with '/' even if it isn't the first drive,
} > but that certainly isn't the most common scenario.
} >
} > I wish the installed would default to install grub to /dev/sda, regardless
} > of where '/' is.
}
} That wouldn't happen.

So I closed it.

Now it should be reopened.



Cheers
Geert Stappers

Geert Stappers <stappers@stappers.nl> (2018-06-17):

That's the end of what I wrote (except my mail didn't have broken
encoding, and there were no '???' there).

Not sure where the rest comes from, but please don't mix up several
mails when you reply, that makes for extra headaches that nobody
needs:

Thanks already.


Cheers,

Please tell also about the hardware, particular the disks.

Some examples:

A: Hardware is a server like  desktop.
   It has several SATA Controllers on the mainboard.
   Almost each SATA Controller has a disk connected

B: Hardware is a "desktop"
   Amount of onboard disk controller was not enough.
   Extra disk controller card was inserted

C: Hardware is laptop alike
   Beside inside disks
   were extra disks added throught USB connection

D: Another short description



In other words: Do not feel obligated to make a detailed hardware report



Groeten
Geert Stappers
DD

After evaluating the bug, it is actually a wishlist bug, because the BIOS in the system has a BBS list (F12) of all boot devices. Any can be chosen on boot-up. That's why the BIOS setup can get away with being so scant on boot-device options.

I would say the problem is solved. I found this while researching another bug. My email is different for this appendage.