Installing Fresh Proxmox - ZFS pool named 'rpool' already exists

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Stereoscope

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Jan 27, 2024
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I'm still testing things so no data is at risk. I'm doing yet another fresh install of Proxmox (hopefully this time this is going to be the last install before I start adding VMs to it) and when I try to install, I get the error:

"A ZFS pool named 'rpool' (id 109230912) already exists on the system.

Do you want to rename the pool to 'pool-OLD-109230912' before continuing or cancel the installation?"

How do I proceed? Usually, when installing an OS, it just works i.e. overwrites old data, but Proxmox seems to be different?
 
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There is no "no". It's either rename the old pool to Old-whatever or cancel the installation.

If I rename, I'm not sure how that's going to work. My understanding is I'll have two pools. I can simply delete the old one later, but the question is, does this lose me any space? Is there going to be some kind of remnant after the old pool is deleted?
 
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Then I would delete old pool before a new installation eg with any life linux on usb stick booted before.
 
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I tried installing clicking yes rename. Got all manner of nasty error messages and an unresponsive system. Had to boot up an Ubuntu Live instance like you guys suggested. Now everything is working fine.

I'll have to find a quicker way of doing this than a GUI Ubuntu way of doing it. I couldn't figure out how to simply clear ZFS labels as you recommended. Spent 2 hours waiting for the disks to be cleared. Not too familiar with initramfs, but looks like it's the way to go, so will do some research in that direction.
 
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Install .deb package " util-linux " for wipefs

wipefs -a /dev/sdX # MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT THE RIGHT DRIVE NAME, AND HAVE BACKUPS!!

^ Will do it for you in about 2 seconds. Initramfs has nothing to do with it.
 
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