Intel SSD 80 GB X25

[yippeed]

A couple days ago I got an error from SMART "B8 - End-to-end error." According to Intel (contacted support), they said to update the firmware. After the update when trying to load windows I get the dreaded BSOD. I'm now trying to follow the second step in Intel's "fabulous" advice and secure erase the drive so that I can try and start over but their suggested utility HDAT2 doesn't allow me to unlock the drive to preform a secure erase. Any suggestions?

I've tried a couple more times now but the HDAT2 security menu, password shows up as "disabled/Frozen." I still can't undo this and cannot get the additional options to erase.

Went ahead and tried hdderase as well but that was worse. It won't even boot into the utility...

 

[Old Hippie]

If the drive is a G1 you must use HDDErase 3.3 in IDE mode.

 

[sub.mesa]

You just want to TRIM the SSD? You can do that with other utilities as well. If the HDDErase.exe did not work for you, i can give you a .iso that should boot fine in AHCI mode and detect your SSD and allow TRIMing it.

You did not say anything about what kind of controller you connected your SSD to, and also what kind of motherboard you have. Some motherboards have multiple controllers; one REAL one supplied by the chipset, and one "FAKE" one like "Gigabyte controller" which in reality is Silicon Image/Marvell controller. Those do not support TRIM under Windows if you use their proprietary drivers; so be careful!

 

[taltamir]

do you have another drive or another computer? you can use the intel ssd toolbox to secure erase an intel drive, as long as it is not the OS drive.

What baffles me is that they would suggest secure erase... you should be fine just reinstalling windows or even using windows DVD to do a repair.

 

[yippeed]

I actually did try to boot windows. Aftet bsod i went ahead and put in the install disc.to.repair but nor possible. I need to secure erase to factory setting because the drive already reported a smart error and i guess this is intel way of asking me to confirm. MB asus p se/r intel chipset. Sorry typing on phine so not.fixing errors and dont remember exact model but a p35 chipset.

 

[taltamir]

well, try it then i guess.
normally i would RMA on a smart error.

 

[tweakboy]

You need to do a low level format.

theres free hd apps that do that.