- Joined
- Aug 30, 2004
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA
This seems to be a common question so I am going to put this up as a sticky.
The idea is not for the software to do anything to the drive, but to access the built in reset functions of the controller itself. This is the reason why you can't use any old erasing software such as "Eraser" etc. I won't go into the theory of the process, you can look that up.
There seem to be two popular ways to wipe/reset an SSD to factory default settings.The DOS technique uses HDDErase and the Linux technique uses hdparm. Let us look at both. I have personally reset my SSDs using HDDErase.
Tools:
DOS Technique:
Guaranteed to work on the following drives (I have tested these):
HDDErase is the most finicky software I have used. It took me about a day of research to figure out why the damn thing would not work. Anyway, I hope my adventure in chewing my fingers to bloody stumps will save you some time.
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Readme File-->http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/people/Hughes/HDDEraseReadMe.txt
Updated: 1-17-2012
Parted Magic Technique: <Easiest and most painless!>
Warning! Not for Crucial M4 Drives (Click for Woomack's experience)
Guaranteed to work on the following drives (I have tested these):
The idea is not for the software to do anything to the drive, but to access the built in reset functions of the controller itself. This is the reason why you can't use any old erasing software such as "Eraser" etc. I won't go into the theory of the process, you can look that up.
There seem to be two popular ways to wipe/reset an SSD to factory default settings.The DOS technique uses HDDErase and the Linux technique uses hdparm. Let us look at both. I have personally reset my SSDs using HDDErase.
Tools:
- HDDErase3.3 (for Intel G1 drives/can be used for all drives)-->Attached to this post.
- Any Linux live CD (hdparm method)
DOS Technique:
Guaranteed to work on the following drives (I have tested these):
- Intel X25M G1
- OCZ Vertex
HDDErase is the most finicky software I have used. It took me about a day of research to figure out why the damn thing would not work. Anyway, I hope my adventure in chewing my fingers to bloody stumps will save you some time.
- Make a DOS boot disk (floppy, USB or CD). The procedure varies slightly depending on the OS. In Win7-64 an option to make a startup disk is available when you format a floppy. After you do this, transfer HDD erase onto the boot floppy.
- Power off the computer and turn off the power switch.
- Disconnect all SATA devices except the HDDs you wish to wipe. You may be able to wipe only two drives at a time. Connect the drives you wish to wipe to SATA1 and SATA2 ports on the default Intel controller or primary controller on AMD boards. *Warning* HDDErase will not see your drives otherwise!
- With the power off, unplug your SSD power cable whilst keeping the SATA cables connected. This step prevents the BIOS from imposing a security-lock on your drive (read up elsewhere for the theory).
- Power ON the computer, get to the BIOS and under "Storage configuration", make sure SATA drives are configured in IDE Compatible mode. This is the only way to get HDDErase3.3 to work. Other options will cause this junk software to hang.
- Set FDD or USB as your first boot device and reboot. Wait for A:> to appear.
- Now connect the SSD Power cables (has to be done only after A:> appears!).
- At the DOS prompt, type in HDDErase (case insensitive). You should see a bunch of text, hit Y,N and get to the main screen.
- At this point your drives will show up on the screen as (P0: Drive#1, S0:###, etc).
- Now you will be asked to make a selection on what drive you wish to wipe. Type in S0,P0 etc...
- You will see some text and warnings, get by them.
- Now you will be presented with a choice of "press 1 for secure erase or press 2 for enhanced secure erase" (On an OCZ Vertex, you will be presented with Option 2 only). Choose either option. I used option 2 with no problems on my X25-M (G1)'s. This will take less than 2 minutes to complete. There are no progress indicators, you just have to wait.
- Once successfully completed, skip reading the log file and exit the program.
- Type in HDDErase again to erase your second drive. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REBOOT yet.
- Once done with all drives, Reboot.
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Readme File-->http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/people/Hughes/HDDEraseReadMe.txt
Updated: 1-17-2012
Parted Magic Technique: <Easiest and most painless!>
Warning! Not for Crucial M4 Drives (Click for Woomack's experience)
Guaranteed to work on the following drives (I have tested these):
- Intel X25M G1
- OCZ Vertex
- Download the latest version of PartedMagic from HERE
- A pendrive installation is the most painless way to go. Download UNetbootin or UniversalUSBInsaller.
- Create your bootable pendrive/USB key.
- Shutdown your computer and unplug all drives except your target drive.
- Reboot, get to the BIOS and make the USB key your primary boot device.
- Reboot and enter PartedMagic.
- Start Menu-->System Tools--> Erase Disk
- Select Internal: Secure Erase and hit Continue.
- Your drive may be locked, but PartedMagic gives you an option to enter sleep mode to unlock your drive. Say yes and your computer will sleep.
- Hit the power button to wake your computer and re-run Erase Disk. It should work now. If offered an option to Secure Erase, accept it.Takes about 2min to complete. All done!
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