Intel 510 SSD and secure erase

[idata]

Hi,

Hi,

I'm trying to follow Secure erase instructions (https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase) but I run into a problem I can't really figure out.

I have 2011 iMac, I installed intel 510 ssd and trying to do secure erase (in order to install/reinstall lion). Here's what I do:

1. boot ubuntu (11.04, x86). booting from live CD. 2. run: hdparm -I /dev/sdb. Here's what I get:Security: Master password revision code = 65534 supported not enabled not locked frozen not expired: security count supported: enhanced erase 2min for SECURITY ERASE UNIT. 2min for ENHANCED SECURITY ERASE UNIT.

3. put iMac to sleep and run hdparm again:

Security: Master password revision code = 65534 supported not enabled not locked not frozen not expired: security count supported: enhanced erase 2min for SECURITY ERASE UNIT. 2min for ENHANCED SECURITY ERASE UNIT.

And this is where the problems begin...

4.hdparm --user-master u --security-set-pass passwd /dev/sdb/dev/sdd:Issuing SECURITY_SET_PASS command, password="passwd", user=user, mode=highSECURITY_SET_PASS: input/output error

I tried --user-master m, secure erase with NULL password etc... Nothin works. I _always_ get input/output error regardles of the command...

I'm using latest hdparm (9.37 compiled from sources) Any idea what is wrong? I don't really want to tear the iMac apart again to disconnect the drive... Thanks,

[idata]

Read: https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase# Known_issues: https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase# Known_issues:

These are almost certainly what you're seeing, or some subset of them.

[idata]

well... I did follow the steps from wiki exactly... Adn no - I haven't seen any of the issues listed there.

When I switched to ubuntu 10.04 LTS - it worked perfectly! Somethin must have changed between Ubuntu 10.04 and 11.04 (and it's not hdparm - which I compiled from sources both times).

Anyway - for anybody looking to secure erase intel 510 ssd on 2011 imac - just use ubuntu 10.04 LTS.