Secure erase on SSD

[EEB]

I'm trying to do a secure erase on my OCZ Vertex 3 120gb SSD. I tried the HDDERASE but can't get it to work. I might be doing something wrong though. Can anyone provide a step by step on how to do a secure erase. I need to get it erased so that I can sell it.

 

[Cerulean]

dban

 

[ChRoNo16]

dban- 7 passes is DoD Standard

 

[Forceman]

I wouldn't use dban on an SSD - it isn't designed for it and it won't have the same effect as running a secure erase (namely, restoring the drive to factory fresh condition).

First off - hook just the SSD up to the controller, and use the Intel controller if you are using an Intel board (not Marvell, etc), and unhook all the other drives.

Second - make sure you have the controller set to IDE mode - you may need to play with the settings to get the drive to show up in HDDErase - you might need to try both "Legacy" mode and "Compatibility" mode, depending on what settings your BIOS has (you didn't say what board you are using).

Third - boot to the bootable media (I always use a bootable USB) and run HDDErase.

From there it should be self-explanatory - just follow the prompts.

What exactly isn't working for you? Can HDDErase not see the drive, or will it not send the Secure Erase command to the SSD?

If all else fails, there is a way to use GParted, but it isn't as easy.

 

[Aesma]

OCZ toolbox is there for a reason.

 

[Old Hippie]

The easiest Secure Erase program is included with Parted Magic.

DL and burn the CD and follow these instructions.

It's by far the easiest way I've found.

Good Luck!

 

[polonyc2]

to get SSD Erase to work I have to unplug my SSD and then replug it in after the program loads...apparently there's some security feature on my BIOS that prevents it from running unless I unplug it first

 

[Old Hippie]

apparently there's some security feature on my BIOS that prevents it from running unless I unplug it first

AFAIK all BIOSs have a 'security lock' and it needs to be fooled to clean everything from the drive.

I've had problems with the actual "Secure Erase" bootable disks but have never had a problem with Parted Magic.

It's by far the easiest to use.

 

[polonyc2]

AFAIK all BIOSs have a 'security lock' and it needs to be fooled to clean everything from the drive.

I've had problems with the actual "Secure Erase" bootable disks but have never had a problem with Parted Magic.

It's by far the easiest to use.

does the security lock apply to all BIOS?...I've read about people who didn't need to unplug their SSD to get Secure Erase to work so I'm guessing the security lock was bypassed somehow

never tried Parted Magic because SSD Erase works so well for me...plus it only takes around 10 seconds for the actual erase

before using 'SSD Erase' I used the DiskPart 'Clean All' command

 

[EEB]

I wouldn't use dban on an SSD - it isn't designed for it and it won't have the same effect as running a secure erase (namely, restoring the drive to factory fresh condition).

First off - hook just the SSD up to the controller, and use the Intel controller if you are using an Intel board (not Marvell, etc), and unhook all the other drives.

Second - make sure you have the controller set to IDE mode - you may need to play with the settings to get the drive to show up in HDDErase - you might need to try both "Legacy" mode and "Compatibility" mode, depending on what settings your BIOS has (you didn't say what board you are using).

Third - boot to the bootable media (I always use a bootable USB) and run HDDErase.

From there it should be self-explanatory - just follow the prompts.

What exactly isn't working for you? Can HDDErase not see the drive, or will it not send the Secure Erase command to the SSD?

If all else fails, there is a way to use GParted, but it isn't as easy.

I'm using the Asus P8Z68-V-Pro motherboard

 

[Old Hippie]

does the security lock apply to all BIOS?...

AFAIK all BIOSs have a 'security lock'

You're more than welcome to use any program you want but I'll bet the "DiskPart 'Clean All' command" doesn't erase the same things because a Secure Erase must be done in an actual DOS environment.

AFAIK Parted Magic runs in DOS.

I tried/used many ways to Secure Erase and PM is by far the easiest.

 

[EEB]

Thanks for the help. I got parted magic to work and erase my SSD. Now I can sell it!

 

[Old Hippie]

Thanks for the help. I got parted magic to work and erase my SSD. Now I can sell it!

Nice!

See fellows, even a Noobie can use it!

 

[EEB]

Yeah it was pretty easy to use. Got it to work the first time. Much better than the HDDERASE that I couldn't get to boot

 

[Old Hippie]

Yeah it was pretty easy to use. Got it to work the first time. Much better than the HDDERASE that I couldn't get to boot

I figure since PM runs in DOS mode thru your RAM, the HDs are never in use and that makes it much easier for HDDErase to do it's job.

Maybe someone can chime in with a better explanation?

 

[Forceman]

I'm guessing Parted Magic is a bootable image? HDDErase isn't, so you've got to fool around with making a bootable disk first, then run HDDErase, which sounds like what might have been the OPs difficulty.

 

[Old Hippie]

I'm guessing Parted Magic is a bootable image? HDDErase isn't, so you've got to fool around with making a bootable disk first, then run HDDErase, which sounds like what might have been the OPs difficulty.

Parted Magic and all my HDDErase programs are on bootable images.

I guess I'm not understanding what you're saying.

Edit....Now I see says the Blind Old Hippie. He may have had trouble making a bootable image out of a program instead of just downloading an ISO. I was a little confused because HDDErase 3.3 (last version I used) could be downloaded as an ISO.

 

[polonyc2]

I put HDDErase on a floppy and run it...have a USB Floppy drive that I pretty much only use for this

 

[palaciav]

I figure since PM runs in DOS mode thru your RAM, the HDs are never in use and that makes it much easier for HDDErase to do it's job.

I have to ixnay this one, I've had one hard drive BIOS locked to where Parted Magic couldn't do it's thing. However, the software instructed me to unplug the power and plug back in, which allowed it to work.

 

[Old Hippie]

I have to ixnay this one, I've had one hard drive BIOS locked to where Parted Magic couldn't do it's thing. However, the software instructed me to unplug the power and plug back in, which allowed it to work.

Then you're the exception that proves the rule.

 

[parityboy]

Don't SSDs use copy-on-write when storing data? Would you not have to use special software that is aware of how SSDs work, in order to make sure that every memory cell is clean?