2 x Intel D3-S4510 SSDs Locked (asking Pre-POST Password) after BIOS Secure Erase

[kalind]

Hello Community,

I am facing a critical issue with two of my client's Intel D3-S4510 1.92TB Enterprise 2.5" SATA SSDs, which are completely locked out and asking for an ATA password before POST. I am detailing the exact scenario and every troubleshooting step I have taken over the last 12+ hours.

How the Issue Occurred

I had a total of 6 identical Intel D3-S4510 SATA SSDs that needed a secure erase. I started by connecting 2 of them to an MSI B650 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard (BIOS Ver E7D75AMS, 17/03/2026).

• I initiated the "Secure Erase+" tool from the MSI BIOS for the first SSD.

• The BIOS prompted a Yes/No confirmation, which I accepted.

• I received a "Secure Erase Successful" pop-up, after which the motherboard immediately auto-restarted (Auto restart is normal).

• Upon the very next POST, both connected SSDs were locked and asked for a password before the BIOS screen could even load.

• Note: I immediately canceled doing this via the BIOS and securely erased the remaining 4 SSDs using Parted Magic (a Linux rescue environment) without a single issue.

This confirms the SSDs do not have a firmware issue (two enterprise SSDs developing the exact same firmware issue simultaneously is practically impossible). The MSI motherboard clearly mishandled the ATA Secure Erase protocol, which sets a temporary password to erase the drive and is supposed to remove it afterward. It failed to remove it and erroneously locked both connected drives.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken

Since I cannot even access the BIOS when the drives are plugged in normally, I have been hot-plugging them (booting into a recovery environment first, then plugging the SSDs in) to attempt fixes. Here is every method I have exhausted:

1. Passwords Attempted (via Linux ATA security disable tools):

• msi, MSI, ssd123, 000000

• Single Enter key, Double Enter key

• Single Y key, Double Y key (None of these default/temporary passwords worked).

2. Intel Memory and Storage Tool (Intel MAS):

• Latest Version: The SSD is no longer supported in the newest Intel MAS . ( for enterprice hardware how can intel do this or why intel did this ?  )

• Older Version: Requires Windows 8 or older. I tried using the older Intel MAS on a Windows 7 machine. The tool successfully detected the lock but failed to unlock it.

3. Linux & PSID Tools:

• Used Ubuntu (booted with libata.allow_tpm=1 in GRUB).

• Tried multiple "ATA security disable" command-line tools.

• Attempted a PSID revert using a Linux PSID unlocker tool with the exact 32-character PSID code printed on the SSD labels. This also failed.

• Plugged and unplugged the SSDs while the system was running to try and unfreeze the drive state.

4. Hardware & System Level Tests:

• Performed a full CMOS reset on the motherboard.

• Moved the locked SSDs to a completely different motherboard—they still ask for the password immediately before POST.

5. Additional Steps:

• Reached out to the MSI forum to get the temporary password their BIOS uses, but they were unable to provide a fixed string (it may be dynamically generated per drive/config and hidden from the user).

These are very expensive enterprise drives out of warranty. Since standard PSID unlock tools and Intel MAS have failed, is there any Intel-specific backdoor, advanced PSID reset method, or low-level firmware override that can salvage these drives?

Any expert guidance would be highly appreciated. Thank you ..

[SolidigmJose]

Dear Kalind,

Thank you for your detailed post and for taking the time to document the troubleshooting steps you have already performed.

We understand how frustrating this situation must be, especially after investing significant effort into recovering the drives. Based on the information provided, the issue appears to involve ATA Security lock behavior that occurred following the secure erase operation.

To properly investigate this matter, we will create a support case on your behalf and continue the discussion through a private support channel.

Once the case is created, a member of our support team will contact you directly and review the information available. We will then determine what additional data may be needed and whether further troubleshooting options are available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to assisting you further through the support case.

Kind regards,

[kalind]

Thank you for reading..

I wait for your reply, as I have been trying not for 12 hours , but for 12 Days !!  and i have tried lot more then described here !!

Any guidance would be highly appreciated. Thank you again..