The use for HDDErase or Sanity Erase

[idata]

I was wondering, once in a while I reinstall my laptop. Just to have a fresh copy of windows, how refreshing.

Anyway I've never done this before with my SSD. Will the secure erase function from HDDErase 3.3 just format my SSD and bring back the state as it was when I bought it?

I also read that HDDErase will write random data until it's full, isn't this just what we don't wanna do to the drive? And how about Sanity Erase, this should make the drive think it's empty, is this a good option? If performance will be back and if the Intel SSD's are even supporting this tool is unknown for me.

[idata]

HDDErase.exe is in fact a proof of concept application published by the Center for Magnetic Recording Research at the UCSD. It was intended to demonstrate the operation of the Secure Erase feature in all standards compliant hard drives produced since 2002. It was never meant to be used commercially, and has a number of operational limitations that may inhibit the successful execution of the process.

Secure Erase is launched by presenting the drive with a sequence of commands which will lock the device and initiate the process. Unlike externally issued block overwrite software products, the process is controlled from the drives embedded controller, and is essentially a single pass optimized write process that CAN address all writable storage regions of the device, magnetic or solid state. However, before using SE one must be aware of the limitations of running SE in the host device.

1/ In order for SE to properly launch, the host must not have BIOS level protection that will inhibit SE from being passed on to the host controller. Many BIOS manufacturers have implemented BIOS level protection to avert the threat of any malware of virus that may exploit Secure Erase as a means to destroy data.

2/ If the device has Protected Service Areas the host controller must be Host Protected Area aware in order to address the HPA storage regions of the drive. This includes the DCO settings.

3/ HDDErase does not purge the G-List. The G-List should be zero'd before the utility is run, in order to process all sectors.

Essentially, the best way to purge a drive with Secure Erase is by using a purpose built appliance that has been designed to overcome these challenges. Although these may be costly for the home user, they are becoming more popular in government and corporate environments where the concern over releasing unprotected devices to external service providers is becoming a big concern.

As for the performance benefits of SE on Silicon storage devices, no one says it better than Anand LaShimpi in his March 2009 review on his anandtech dot com web site. Definitely worth the read.

If anyone is interested in a detailed guide titled 'The best practices for the destruction of Digital Data', co-authored with Dr. Gordon Hughes of the CMRR, I would be glad to offer any reader of this forum a personal use copy on request. Just fire me an e-mail

[idata]

Is Sanitary Erase save to use on Intel drives?