How to Restore Performance on a Intel X-25m G1

[Reven]

Hi

As stated above, I need some help at restoring my Intel X-25m G1 to its original performance. It was used as a OS drive for about a year before I jumped to a G2, and before I start installing other programs on it I want to clean it off.

I have found this link and am trying to follow the instructions:
http://www.iishacks.com/index.php/2...e-erase-reset-an-intel-solid-state-drive-ssd/

I downloaded the HDD erase 3.3 but cant make a MS-DOS boot disc. I am using Windows 7 64bit and when I push in a CD-R the 'create boot disc' option is grayed out.

What can you suggest for me to restore the performance?

 

[Elganja]

Here is a ms dos bootdisk iso w/ hdderase 3.3 on it

 

[razel]

What can you suggest for me to restore the performance?

Intel's SSD Toolbox. 1st check that you are using the latest firmware. Format the drive down to one whole partition, then run the full diagnostics. It will write test data to almost the whole disk forcing it to do GC restoring performance.

I don't recommend doing this on a regular basis.

 

[Old Hippie]

Here is a ms dos bootdisk iso w/ hdderase 3.3 on it

This is the only way to do that correctly.

You must be in standard IDE mode.

Good Luck!

 

[Elganja]

This is the only way to do that correctly.

You must be in standard IDE mode.

Good Luck!

true... I put mine in IDE + Legacy Mode.

Just hope your bios isn't one that "locks" the sata ports... then you really have to jump hoops to make it work

 

[Old Hippie]

true... I put mine in IDE + Legacy Mode.

Just hope your bios isn't one that "locks" the sata ports... then you really have to jump hoops to make it work

I've never used that exact HDDErase 3.3 that you linked.

The one I have will alert you that the BIOS is locked and offer to bypass the lock with a reboot.

Will your version do the same?

 

[Elganja]

the one I linked is 3.3, but it seems inconsistent what locks sata and what doesn't... i think the locking varies by motherboard/bios. but it isn't something the program and get past.

what I do know, is for intel SSD's you have to use 3.3 and nothing newer

 

[Plester]

You can use gparted to secure erase using hdparm command in a terminal window. Same as hdderase.

 

[Reven]

Ok I used hdd erase but I may be getting an error. It sees my drive fine. However, when I try to erase my bios stops it and HDD erase tells me to do a hard reboot. I do and I get to the erasing process. I have tried both the 'normal' and enhanced erases. But no matter which I use, after a minute it says "secure erase complete". But bellow it it says " general failure writing drive A".

Retrying doesn't help. When I type fail, it says " ERROR: Unable to write audit log file. Audit log successfully written to lab sector 0".

Is this anything I should be worried about?

EDIT: The drive is not visible in 'computer'. When I went to disk management, its not there either. However there is a pop-up that says ' you must initialize a disk before you can access it '. It also has partition styles MBR and GPT under selection.

I havent selected one, though I'm guessing MBR is the right way to go. Am I correct?

 

[Old Hippie]

Ok I used hdd erase but I may be getting an error. It sees my drive fine. However, when I try to erase my bios stops it and HDD erase tells me to do a hard reboot. I do and I get to the erasing process. I have tried both the 'normal' and enhanced erases. But no matter which I use, after a minute it says "secure erase complete". But bellow it it says " general failure writing drive A".

Retrying doesn't help. When I type fail, it says " ERROR: Unable to write audit log file. Audit log successfully written to lab sector 0".

Is this anything I should be worried about?

No, Mine does the exact same thing. I always figured drive "A" was a floppy that isn't there but as you can see the drive is cleaned because you have a non-initialized drive.

I havent selected one, though I'm guessing MBR is the right way to go. Am I correct?

I hope you went for the MBR.

 

[Reven]

Yup I went with MBR. I made it a simple volume and everything seems fine. Thanks.