Windows 8 (and newer) prevents Sanitize commands from running. This prevents SeaTools SSD GUI from erasing the disk. This situation requires the use of a bootable version SeaChest, a command-line interface (CLI) utility, installed on a USB drive.
Blockerase on some solid state drives (SSD) is fast, taking less than one (1) second, while on other SSDs it can take longer than 30 seconds. Blockerase performs a physical low level erase operation on all user data making previous data irretrievable.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- This process erases all data on the USB drive, please backup data before proceeding. Please disconnect all other usb device to prevent any potential data loss.
- USB boot maker is an exe so you must create the flash drive in a Windows environment.
- Blockerase is supported on certain SSDs.
First create a SeaChest USB drive
Note: USB drive must be less than 32 GB.
- Download SeaChest from the support page
- Extract the zip
- Open the USB boot maker folder
- Launch the USB boot maker exe
- Follow the onscreen instructions
- After completion, shutdown or restart the computer
Erasing a drive using blockerase
- During boot, select the USB device
- After booting, you will see a > with a flashing cursor
- At the prompt, type SeaChest_Erase --scan then enter
Note: This command shows devices connected to your machine. Each device has a unique device name. For example, /dev/sg0, /dev/sg1, and so on. Locate the correct device name for the SSD to use with the blockerase command. - At the following prompt, type SeaChest_Erase -d /dev/sgX --sanitize blockerase --poll --confirm-I-understand-this-command-will-erase-all-data-on-the-drive
- The command shows the process of the blockerase and displays a completion message at the end.
Note: Typing SeaChest_Erase -d /dev/sgX --sanitize info, displays a complete list of erase options. For example, Crypto Erase is also available for use with self-encrypting drives.
