Re-formatting an SSD

ChrissyT88 · 20 May 2012 at 23:04

Hi guys,

I would like to re-install windows on my Crucial M4. I did a quick google search / search of these forums, and there appears to be a number of suggestions:

1. Secure Erase of the disk.
2. Quick Format in during windows setup.
3. Let windows delete the partition and handle formatting itself.

I really don't want to do something that will significantly degrade performance (the driver is not very old). What would you suggest?

Thanks

wazza300 · 20 May 2012 at 23:13

secure erase,as it doesnt leave any data behind like formatting does,basically it puts it back to factory condition

Philtor · 21 May 2012 at 00:10

I would do a secure erase also.

Sylver123 · 21 May 2012 at 00:21

What's the best Secure Erase tool for SSDs that is safe to use and wont cause damage?

I have came across Parted Magic but I have read that this tool can cause problems with Crucial drives and some other ones.

wazza300 · 21 May 2012 at 01:11

parted magic should be fine,ive used it on a corsair force gt and it worked fine

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20115106-285/how-to-securely-erase-an-ssd-drive/

Philtor · 21 May 2012 at 01:51

Secure erase can be done using Parted Magic or HDD Erase. It won't harm the drive unless you are doing it all the time.

ChrissyT88 · 21 May 2012 at 20:11

Thanks guys - anyone used parted magic on an M4?

Also read on the Crucial forums that you can re-install windows normally and leave the PC on overnight for the onboard garbage collection to erase data. Anyone tried this?

Orcvader · 21 May 2012 at 20:31

Honestly, if you're going to be reusing the SSD for yourself after the reinstall, wouldn't it be just easier to delete and quick format a new partiton during the Windows install? Or are you going to be giving the drive away?

ChrissyT88 · 21 May 2012 at 21:48

Re-using myself. I just wasn't sure whether a quick format/partition would result in a loss in performance.

Fire Wizard · 22 May 2012 at 19:38

If you're just looking to re-install Windows 7, the 'Format' command option you have availaible when you go through the installation period of Windows 7 will run the TRIM command and restore the solid state drive to essentially peak performance.

You only really need to run the Secure Erase command if you're looking to wipe all of the data on the drive.