Secure Erase not supported by SSD (840 EVO 1TB)

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Santiak

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Oct 19, 2015
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Heyho,

After having been on my current OS for a few years, I decided it was time to make a fresh start - clean it completely and start with just the OS installed.

Since this would be my first format of an SSD, I decided to read up a bit, and felt a Secure Erase using Samsung Magician would be the best bet.

However, I hit a snag at the point when I'm about to erase the drive from DOS (and it's apparently not the "Frozen" issue):

Here's the general formula I've been following:

- Ensure newest version of Samsung Magician (4.7?)
- Ensure newest firmware for SSD.
- Create bootable USB and reboot via Samsung Magician.
- Boot via USB.
- Hit escape to get to the command line, fix the font with "segui0 /s"
- Hit "Y" to scan.
- Wait for scan to find the drive.
- Hit "Y" to begin erase.

And that's when the Error pops up:
"Secure Erase is not supported by this SSD!"

Just to make sure, I tried unplugging both power and data cables from the SSD for at least 30 seconds, plug them back in, and try again. No dice.

I've also tried simply attempting the process immediately after I'm sent back to DOS after the error.

Not sure how relevant it may be, but:
- The SSD is the only drive on the computer (except for the Bootable USB)
- When I retry immediately, it would seem that it hangs on "Info: Scanning in process..." - waited up to an hour for it to complete.


If no other suggestions, I hope you'll forgive a follow-up question:
Would a quick-format erase all data, or just the OS?
(Just did what I believe was a quick format - no process line for "deleting" as I recall there usually being, nor asking for deletion of partitions, nor was I ever given a choice as I hoped I would at some point in the process - but the drive appears to be cleaned from all programs I had previously installed; did I misunderstand the outcome of Quick Format, or did I accidentally do a Full Format?)
 
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1) There isn't a benefit to Secure Erase unless you want to get rid of the drive. Secure Erase makes sure that your data cannot be recovered, it does not improve drive performance over a quick format.

2) A secure erase can go as badly as a quick format...it could fail, which would typically indicate that your drive was not in good health.

3) Unless you need to protect your personal data by erasing it from the drive there is no reason to perform a secure erase.

4) SSD's do incur a pretty dramatic slowdown as they approach capacity. The rule of thumb is always keep it below 90%, so at 80% you might have been noticing the beginning of the performance drop.
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Santiak

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Cheers for the suggestion, I'll keep that in mind. :)
I've just reinstalled Samsung Magician, however, and according to that, the SSD is still in "Good Health" - so it was apparently (and luckily - was sweating there for a moment), indeed a Quick Format I did.

I'm hesitant to try a Secure Erase again straight off the bat.
I've formatted my (hard)drives before with no issue, assembled my own rig, but so much time passes in between each time that I get insecure by the time I start contemplating attempting it again.

So just to clarify:
- Is there any noticeable benefit to carrying out a Secure Erase versus a Quick Format? (If it was indeed the latter I did).
- How wrong can a Secure Erase go?
- Considering the previous experiences with formatting, assembling, and general maintenance, would it be fool-hardy of me to try a Secure Erase?
For what it's worth, my drive was dangerously close to encroaching on the 80% space used, before I decided it was time to format/SE - so don't know if that factors into which is most beneficial or not.
 
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glamdringfh

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Dec 23, 2013
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1) There isn't a benefit to Secure Erase unless you want to get rid of the drive. Secure Erase makes sure that your data cannot be recovered, it does not improve drive performance over a quick format.

2) A secure erase can go as badly as a quick format...it could fail, which would typically indicate that your drive was not in good health.

3) Unless you need to protect your personal data by erasing it from the drive there is no reason to perform a secure erase.

4) SSD's do incur a pretty dramatic slowdown as they approach capacity. The rule of thumb is always keep it below 90%, so at 80% you might have been noticing the beginning of the performance drop.
 
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Santiak

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Oct 19, 2015
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Cheers for the answers (sorry WyomingKnott, wasn't aware I could only pick one).

One final tid-bit; when I formatted via the good ol' Windows 7 CD, I highlighted the drive and hit "Format" rather than "Delete" - and as I recall, there was no scanning involved (i.e. a scan for bad sectors), so was it indeed a Quick Format, and not the proverbial bat to the skull of the SSD that is a Full Format?

Also, considering I had filled it to just slightly above 80%, is the reduction in performance permanent, or would the quick format have fixed it?

.. I need to start reinstalling my OS more often so I don't get this insecure every time :p
 
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WyomingKnott

WyomingKnott

Legenda in Aeternum
Aug 29, 2006
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For those of us on the "TRIM is important" side of the debate, a Secure Erase is the ultimate TRIM. It marks all sectors as unused. I Secure Erase an SSD before doing an install or a restore to it.

There are others on the "TRIM is not important" side who see no value in this.
 
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