Why a format isnt TOTALLY clearing my SSD?

Zeebedy · 18 Feb 2011 at 19:18

Hey guys,

I have my setup running nicely but have formatted a few times to get everything running smooth as possible.

But when I format each time it adds like 5-6gig a time. Currently I have Windows 7 installed with no programs and I have 20gigs free of 60?

WHY THE HELL does a format leave files?

I cannot get into the old skool method of bios and F8 to format the bios?

Can someone tell me how to FULLY clear my SSD, thanks guys.

RTJ

Fourstar · 18 Feb 2011 at 19:51

To completely wipe your SSD you'll need to "secure erase" it.

What make and model do you have? Some manufacturers provide tools to do this and on others you'll need to use HDDErase or Linux+hdparm. Actually you can use those two tools on any SSD.

DragonQ · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:14

Ja, do a secure erase.

Philtor · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:48

Do not format your SSD !! As DragonQ says do a secure erase and then when you get to the install/format screen just click next so the Windows 7 install aligns itself correctly.

Supernaut91 · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:07

philtorrens said:
Do not format your SSD !! As DragonQ says do a secure erase and then when you get to the install/format screen just click next so the Windows 7 install aligns itself correctly.

Perfect answer. Do it this way, always.

Sylver123 · 19 Feb 2011 at 03:20

Here is a guide on how to secure erase your SSD using diskpart.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Supernaut91 · 19 Feb 2011 at 15:44

Sylver123 said:
Here is a guide on how to secure erase your SSD using diskpart.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

That is horribly over complicated. Using parted magic os the process is simplistic and gets the job done just as well. It is also what users use from the OCZ forums.

Why would I want to carry out all that when I can do it in a few clicks using a GUI?

Bunyan

Atom · 19 Feb 2011 at 15:56

I don't bother using secure erase or owt like that.. When W7 is asking what disk to use I just delete the old partitions and let windows install do the rest. Install 5 or 6 times since I got my ssd and still runs fine..

Supernaut91 · 19 Feb 2011 at 16:57

That won't completely erase all the data
and you will be loosing performance every time!

DragonQ · 19 Feb 2011 at 17:55

Indeed, always secure erase if you want to reinstall. Then either restore an image directly (and make sure it's correctly aligned) or let Windows 7 install to the raw drive space.

Supernaut91 · 19 Feb 2011 at 20:12

DragonQ said:
Indeed, always secure erase if you want to reinstall. Then either restore an image directly (and make sure it's correctly aligned) or let Windows 7 install to the raw drive space.

+1

linktoinsanity · 19 Feb 2011 at 23:30

Atom said:
I don't bother using secure erase or owt like that.. When W7 is asking what disk to use I just delete the old partitions and let windows install do the rest. Install 5 or 6 times since I got my ssd and still runs fine..

Hard disks are fine with this, SSDs do get slower and slower unless you reset them to factory settings, otherwise known as "secure erasing" it.

Atom · 20 Feb 2011 at 01:22

Looks like it has slowed slightly, not bad for 5-6 installs and it seems just as fast..

MeatLoaf · 20 Feb 2011 at 01:28

Can you do a secure erase when its the system drive with windows installed on it?

Atom · 20 Feb 2011 at 01:39

No, secure erase will wipe the drive completely.

MeatLoaf · 20 Feb 2011 at 15:04

Atom said:
No, secure erase will wipe the drive completely.

No thats what i want to do for an OS reinstall