installing python(x,y) breaks existing python install without warning

[GoogleCodeExporter]

1. have an existing python install (in c:\python27, 64-bit), with spyder
2. install python(x,y) in c:\program files (x86)\pythonxy
3. notice there are no warnings emitted
4. start spyder
5. notice spyder doesn't start
6. notice pythonxy has *overwritten* the existing python install *without 
asking*
7. curse at a deity
8. start writing a bug report
9. notice there is no huge warning about this on the web page, only a "It is 
recommended to uninstall any other Python distribution before installing 
Python(x,y)".
10. uninstall pythonxy
11. notice that python.exe is now completely gone
12. curse at another deity
13. reinstall python and all packages
14. notice that all my existing spyder settings are now *poof* gone
15. sigh deeply and submit bug report

tl,dr: the installer does not submit a warning if an existing python install is 
found and just bluntly overwrites everything. This is unexpected and 
inconsiderate. Apart from that, the installer was quite pleasant to use.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by valhall...@gmail.com on 8 Feb 2012 at 4:58

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Will check. Thanks for reporting.

Original comment by grizzly.nyo on 8 Feb 2012 at 7:17

• Changed state: Accepted
• Added labels: Type-Enhancement, Milestone-Release2.7.2.2
• Removed labels: Type-Defect

[GoogleCodeExporter]

This issue was closed by revision 1026c8c7ac31.

Original comment by grizzly.nyo on 1 Mar 2012 at 1:29

• Changed state: Fixed

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Is this fix incorporated into Python(x,y)-2.7.2.2.exe? I have just tried to 
install it, and it has overwritten my Python 2.7.3 x64 on Windows7 x64 with 
Python 2.7.2 x32 without any warning. Now I wonder how to uninstall all these 
modules correctly. There are 55 modules installed by pythonxy in the "Uninstall 
or change a program" dialog, and most of them do not work. Even worse, pythonxy 
has overwritten some modules which were already installed. Moreover, after I 
uninstall a single module using control panel, it does not go away from control 
panel (only the icon changes from Python icon to the default icon).

Original comment by utapy...@gmail.com on 4 May 2012 at 8:13

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Uninstalling Python(x,y) will also uninstall all plugins.

The installation gives out a warning when the requested python installation 
path exists. 

Were you prompted with the warning?

Original comment by grizzly.nyo on 7 May 2012 at 6:00

[GoogleCodeExporter]

My Python installation path (D:\P\Python27) was different from the one where 
Python(x,y) installs Python (C:\Python27), so no, I don't remember any 
warnings. Even if they were, they did not clearly state that installing 
Python(x,y) would *break everything*.

In my case, uninstalling Python(x,y) *did not* uninstall any plugins. They 
happened to be installed into D:\P\Python27, not into C:\Python27. But don't 
worry, I have already uninstalled all plugins manually, and will never install 
Python(x,y). I have installed matplotlib as a separate package instead.

Original comment by utapy...@gmail.com on 8 May 2012 at 12:47