# SSD Secure Erase

### Secure erase commands:

Check current status of the disk:
```
>> sudo hdparm -I /dev/sdX

-----
Security:
	Master password revision code = 65534
		supported
	not	enabled   	
	not	locked
	not	frozen
	not	expired: security count
		supported: enhanced erase
```

The disk needs to be not locked, not frozen but enabled.
To enable secure erase set a password for the master user on the disk.

```
>> sudo hdparm --user-master u --security-set-pass password /dev/sdX

-----
security_password: "password"

/dev/sdd:
 Issuing SECURITY_SET_PASS command, password="password", user=user, mode=high
```

If something else appears, like I/O errors or so, check if you are connected to a motherboard port that supports these ATA commands.
e.g. my USB Sata adapter did not, thus the commands could not be sent to the drive.

Afterwards we can erase the drive
```
sudo hdparm --user-master u --security-erase password /dev/sdX

-----
security_password: "password"

/dev/sdd:
 Issuing SECURITY_ERASE command, password="password", user=user
```

After this, the drive should appear unformated and without a partition table.