If you're going to vote to close, please tell me why, or how I can edit the question to make it better. Thanks!

Can you see what python3 is running ... what source file ?

@SorenA Thanks for the question. How do I tell what python3 is running? I'll do it.

@heynema Get the pid of the python process and run 'cat /proc/<pid>/cmdline'

@SorenA I'll do that and report back. Thanks!

@SorenA The command is /snap/ubuntu-desktop-installer/1267/usr/bin/python3.10-msubi‌​quity.cmd.server--us‌​e-os-prober--storage‌​-version=2--postinst‌​-hooks-dir=/snap/ubu‌​ntu-desktop-installe‌​r/1267/etc/subiquity‌​/postinst.d. See my next comment...

@SorenA The installer USED to come up with TRY Ubuntu or INSTALL Ubuntu. Now the installer only comes up in INSTALL mode. There's no clear/clean way to exit, so I click on the close "x", and it closes, and that's when the python process runs amok.

@ubfan1 Can you please elaborate? Are you able to provide a link so that I can read more, and understand? It's an Installer bug then?

@ubfan1 The Installer is whatever comes on the 23.10.1 ISO. I don't get an update request. I'm trying to run in TRY mode. I don't want to INSTALL.

I get an update request when installing: current ubuntu-desktop installer version id 0+git.0ea1f031, update to 0+git.1c719695? Which were you running? Downloads, and asks for a restart.Hung up on the light/dark (no images, tried to click on dark), 10-15 sec to get mouse to move. Will try again without the download of the new installer. Saw the vm was about the right size, tried to run it but hung -- killed kvm it from a vm. Will make the vm a bit larger 19G. this time. Old installer had pics on light/dark, and got to the slideshow. Looks like an installer problem. Old one hung installing too.

@ubfan1 I don't know what version the installer on the 23.10.1 ISO is. I'd have to reboot to it to check it. Whatever version it is, there's no slideshow, it just goes directly into INSTALL mode. I updated my question.

@ubfan1 I never wanted to INSTALL Ubuntu, I only wanted to run in TRY Ubuntu mode.

Had no problems with a "try". If/when the installer finishes, I'll "try" again. The vm size stopped, no indication of a finish, but a beta had the issue, and a kill/install, reboot worked. I'll try that. ** Still hung on the vm boot, tried again using the "try" and no problems. No runaway processes, 1% cpu on gnome or top.

My 23.10 iso haschecked of Oct 16 3b6c5275366d02160554fa5703add462da3b8ce9be1749f8806e8dbbffaa‌​2b5a ubuntu-23.10.1-desktop-amd64.iso I get a try/install screen, and try works. Install asks for an ubuntu-desktop download update, and either with or without, install hangs at some point (5 min was my max wait time for 0 size change on vm). Have nvidia hardware, but even in safe mode, hangs at some point. (accept the new download and hangs at theme screen (with or without pics), reject, and continues to the Help Support screen before hanging. beta 23.10 ran OK with same install scripts.

@ubfan1 Are you trying 23.10 ISO or 23.10.1 ISO? And you're getting a TRY/INSTALL screen in the installer? My .1 ISO doesn't. It just goes directly into INSTALL mode. Just quit the installer at the first screen, and then do a TOP command, and see if python is at 100%.

Let us continue this discussion in chat.