On my computer, I have an SSD that was originally for a Vista computer.
I'd like to wipe it clean to either toss it out or save it for future use.
However is it a good idea to save it for future use?
--- Do modern SSD's have better technology and performance?
Either way, how can I wipe the SSD clean?
Hi,
If you plan on tossing it just use a hammer first :)
If not just format it.
Remove the SSD from the computer and attach it to working computer via a USB Adapter, Dock or Enclosure with a power adapter. It will come up as a secondary drive. If you are thinking of keeping it for yourself, then you can press the Win Key+X and choose Disk Management Right click the SSD and choose Format. If you thinking of selling it or giving it away, then use a program like Active KillDisk to wipe the drive first.
If it is an older SSD, it may not be SATA III it may be only SATAII and the capacity may be small, but it is still usable.
The only really secure way to clean SSD is invokimg ATA Secure Erase command. It requires special software. SSD vendors usually offer their own tools:
Intel SSD Toolbox
Samsung Magician
OCZ SSD Guru
etc
but their Secure Erase function is locked to SSDs of the same brand. So you have to install software which is related to your SSD.
Two notes:
- FORMAT command DOES NOT ERASE any data from disk, they are still recoverable
- Only the highest version - $80 KillDisk Ultimate - supports Secure Erase function. Other functions/methods DO NOT GUARANTEE impossibility of recovering data from SSD.
You could just get a USB2/3 to SATA adapter and use it as portable/removable disk faster than any USB2/3 stick probably larger too. If it's for your personal use, it's enough to delete all partitions and make one new one.
Open a Command Prompt (Admin) or Powershell (Admin). Run:
diskpart
list disk
select disk # <- replace # with the actual number of the SSD you want to reuse
clean <- this will remove all partitions on the selected drive. You can't do this if you are booted from the SSD you want to reuse
If you want to leave it completely blank (but NOT securely erased), then the next two commands would be exit, exit.
If you want to establish a new partition on it to use for data storage, the next commands would be:
create part pri
format fs=ntfs quick
assign
exit
exit
The above commands still will NOT securely erase the SSD.
Get either GParted, or a Linux live disk/USB(and use the GParted there), then delete all partitioning, and repartition the whole disk as one simple partition. I believe GParted will then automatically run retrim and data is gone.
If then you just want to use it as a data disk connect it to your PC, if you want to use it as a boot disk in another PC, redelete the partitioning and leave it all as unallocated.
Other option see: How to zero-fill a drive with DD
A lot of good information. So now I'll use it for personal use as a data disk instead of just letting it hang around.
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