Erase an SSD before returning it?

[idata]

I have an X25-M SSD that I need return for RMA due to some bad sectors. Before I send it off I'd like to erase all the data on it. Does Intel provide any tools for me to do that?

[idata]

Are you trying to USE hdparm of delete it? Your question is worded very ambiguiosly.

Have you read the above link? and do you understand the dangers and ramifications of Hdparm?

[idata]

sjprg,

Thanks for the follow up. I am trying to use hdparm to delete it. I have been skimming through the links to find a quick solution. I probably do not know the ramifications of hdparm as well I should, but at this point the drive is being replaced by the retailer I purchased it from. However, I still would like to find a quick solution to delete it in general before returning to the manufacture or even restoring it myself given it sounds like I am going to have issues with this piece of hardware down the road.

- Tara

Message was edited by: tsevan

[idata]

Do you mean erase the drive? You can't delete the drive, only erase the data on it! Once again read this. There is NO quick and easy way. It will take you a least 1 day to erase the drive.

Download a copy of ubuntu 10.04. Burn the ubuntu to a CD. Use the Try tab after booting from the CD. Do not install ubuntu, you want to run it from the CD!

read and use the following info.

https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase

Thr procedure is fairly straight foward, BUT you must understand what it is doing.

[idata]

If you're running Linux, can't you just overwrite the drive with zeros? For more on this, see the http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Securely_Wipe_HDD securely wipe hdd artile on the Arch wiki.

# dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX bs=4M

[idata]

Very possibly true, I don't know. If # DD allowes you to access all blocks that would be my prefered method as clearing an SSD for a raid 0 array is all I would need. As I am not a Unix person I can't speak to the Intricacies of # DD. I have found by experment that hdparm works from ubuntu 10.4. I'll explore # DD from unbuntu and see what I can find out.