topic Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly in Solid State Drives (NAND)

Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

dandreye — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:26:20 GMT

Hi All,

I've been redirected here with my inquiry by an Intel rep:

https://community.intel.com/t5/Rapid-Storage-Technology/Erasing-Intel-320-SSD-properly/m-p/1478469/highlight/true#M11871

Could anyone please confirm if using standard ATA Enhanced Secure Erase function (e.g. available with hdparm or its equivalents) results in filling an Intel 320 series SSD like my SSDSA2CW120G3 with the maker-specified pattern indeed? Which particular pattern that is: 0xFF or some other value?

Many thanks in advance!

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

SolidigmNebiyu — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:34:22 GMT

Dear dandreye,

Thank you for reaching out to Solidigm.

The Secure Erase option will revert your drive back to the default (out of the box) state. If you need more information regarding Secure Erase (ATA Secure erase), kindly refer to our Solidigm Storage Tool User Guide - CLI starting on #73.

If your experiencing any issues with your drive, please contact us via this link to create a case  https://support.solidigm.com/en-US/anonymous-createcase/ 

Kind regards. 
Nebiyu
Solidigm Customer Support

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

dandreye — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:30:10 GMT

Hi Nebiyu,

Thanks for your reply. Please note that it was Enhanced (and not standard) Secure Erase I was inquiring about. Could you please confirm the pattern to be written into my SSD when using that type of erase?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

SolidigmNebiyu — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:37:55 GMT

Dear dandreye,

We would first need to clarify what you mean by "maker-specified pattern" and "particular pattern that is: 0xFF or some other value" so we understand what you are trying to achieve.

We need this need this information because the Secure Erase command writes zeros to the user data portion of traditional hard drives or returns the cells to their original, and factory state in solid state drives.

The procedure will clean all the cells but not change anything to the controller nor reset any readings, example such as temperature and hours records.

Besides we don't recommend third party tools nor make ourselves responsible for any data loss/damage that might occur by using the hdparm tool.

Looking forward to your reply.

Kind regards. 
Nebiyu
Solidigm Customer Support

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

dandreye — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 18:19:06 GMT

Hi Nebiyu - sure:

E.g. section 7.43.2 Security Erase of the ATA-8 spec tells us that (optional) enhanced SE mode writes some "predeterminted data patterns", which based on my search results seem to be set (at the controller level I suppose) by the manufacturer for a given SSD model. Here's the wording from the spec:

When Enhanced Erase mode is specified, the device shall write predetermined data patterns to all user data areas

Also the same spec is quite clear on the Normal (i.e. non-Enhanced) SE in that it writes 0x00 into any disk w/o mentioning its type (HDD/SSD):

When Normal Erase mode is specified, the SECURITY ERASE UNIT command shall write binary zeroes to all user data areas

Kingston say the predetermined data patterns are set by the manufacturer:

Secure erase overwrites all user data areas with binary zeroes. Enhanced secure erase writes predetermined data patterns (set by the manufacturer) to all user data areas.

If so that explains why enhanced rather than normal SE is recommended for SSDs, which do not consider 0x00 their original/factory cell state (some sources suggest it's 0xFF they do). Hence trying to understand what exactly will Enhanced SE write into my Intel 320 Series SSD (assuming Enhanced SE is supported/implemented at all): 0xFF or some other value/pattern? Or will normal and/or enhanced SE just change some internal encryption key on it, rendering all user data unusable and thereby avoiding the need in writing anything into it whatsoever?

Many thanks in advance!

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

SolidigmNebiyu — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:39:36 GMT

Dear dandreye,

Apologies for the confusion. We were specifying the Solidigm Storage Tool. With regards to the Intel RST tool, you would need to contact Intel, as it is not a Solidigm piece of software. Intel may have sent you to us because we support Solidigm (formerly Intel SSDs hardware) and Solidgm software.

You can use third party tools such as Acronis Drive Cleanser (other tools are available). This link will show the different types of algorithms that are available in this software. We do not support/endorse this software and you would need to contact the manufacturer of this software for further details.

https://www.acronis.com/en-gb/blog/posts/power-user-insights-acronis-drive-cleanser/

If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know.

Kind regards. 
Nebiyu
Solidigm Customer Support

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

dandreye — Sun, 21 May 2023 15:19:10 GMT

Hi Nebiyu,

> We would first need to clarify what you mean by "maker-specified pattern" and "particular pattern that is: 0xFF or some other value" so we understand what you are trying to achieve.

Could you please confirm my answer above is good enough and so you keep looking into my inquiry further?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

SolidigmNebiyu — Mon, 22 May 2023 12:43:03 GMT

Hi dandreye,

We are sorry to hear you are having issues with your drive. This is an Intel piece of software (Intel has manufactured and owns Intel RST). For the workings of the Secure Erase, you would need to contact them. For hardware issues, SST(Solidigm Storage Tool) and other Solidigm software, please feel free to contact us.

https://support.solidigm.com/en-US/anonymous-createcase/ 

Kind regards. 
Nebiyu
Solidigm Customer Support

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

dandreye — Mon, 22 May 2023 13:07:46 GMT

Hi Nebiyu,

> This is an Intel piece of software (Intel has manufactured and owns Intel RST). For the workings of the Secure Erase, you would need to contact them.

Well that's exactly where I was redirected here from:

https://community.intel.com/t5/Rapid-Storage-Technology/Erasing-Intel-320-SSD-properly/m-p/1478469

Would you mind confirming with them that they're happy to have it back first? I don't mind getting back to them once but wouldn't like to go in circles...

Thanks in advance!

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

SolidigmNebiyu — Mon, 22 May 2023 13:59:22 GMT

Hi dandreye,

We understand your frustration. We will reach out to you via direct message.

Kind regards. 
Nebiyu
Solidigm Customer Support

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

dandreye — Mon, 22 May 2023 20:51:25 GMT

Hi Nebiyu,

Here's what I got there:

https://community.intel.com/t5/Rapid-Storage-Technology/Erasing-Intel-320-SSD-properly/m-p/1488509/highlight/true#M11986

Indeed why are we switching the subject from Intel 320 SSD to RST? I've never mentioned anything about the latter one: my question has been on the former one since inception, and Intel already said Intel 320 SSD support is transferred to Solidigm... in such case may I still have a reply here?

Many thanks in advance!

Re: Erasing an Intel 320 series SSD properly

SolidigmNebiyu — Fri, 26 May 2023 15:57:26 GMT

Hi dandreye,

Apologies regarding the RST.

The Intel 320 series has been EOS (End of service) since 2021-06-18. The specific technical information did not migrate from Intel to Solidigm. Should you have any questions regarding your drive, please check the product specifications.

>>>>You can use third party tools such as Acronis Drive Cleanser (other tools are available). The software has different types of algorithms that are available while performing a secure erase. We do not support/endorse this software and you would need to contact the manufacturer of this software for further details.

Should you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Kind regards. 
Nebiyu
Solidigm Customer Support