Disk wiping

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Revision as of 20:13, 15 May 2026 by Verbovet (talk | contribs)
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  • To wipe an HDD by writing zeros to it:
# ddrescue -f /dev/zero /dev/addX
The average speed is above 100 MB/s, so 1 TB takes about 2-3 hours.
  1. Delete all partitions
  2. # sst delete --ssd <index>
The <index> can be found by using the command
# sst show --ssd
  • To wipe a SSD by the ATA Security Erase command:
  1. Make sure the drive is not frozen and support "enhanced erase":
    # camcontrol security adaX
    [...]
    Security Option Value
    supported yes
    enabled no
    drive locked no
    security config frozen no
    count expired no
    security level high
    enhanced erase supported yes
    erase time 4 min
    enhanced erase time 4 min
    [...]
  2. Set a user password (this password will be cleared on the next step, so the exact choice does not matter):
    # hdparm --user-master u --security-set-pass foo /dev/sdX
  3. Issue the ATA Secure Erase command:
    # hdparm --user-master u --security-erase foo /dev/sdX
  4. Check that security is disabled:
    # hdparm -I /dev/sdX
    [...]
    Security:
    Master password revision code = 65534
    supported
    not enabled
    not locked
    not frozen
    not expired: security count
    supported: enhanced erase
    3min for SECURITY ERASE UNIT. 3min for ENHANCED SECURITY ERASE UNIT.
    [...]