Unable to format intel x25-M SSD

[InterfaceMan]

Hi,

I need to re-install Win7 64bit over my 32 bit windows. I read many articles that best way to format SSD is using HDDERASE software.

I downloaded Hiren Bootable CD 11.0 and boot my system from CD-ROM and ran HDDERASE 4.0, it just sat there for over 40 minutes and did nothing.

Then I raed another article that HDDERASE 3.3 works and tried that with the same result.

I changed my BIOS storage setup from AHCI to IDE and disconnected my second drive. Same result, unable to format my SSD.

I am really stuck her.... Please help and advice...

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Don't bother with that crap. Use hdparm found on the gparted CD. 40s secure erase for an 80GB Intel X25-M. No muss, no fuss, no need to mess with IDE/AHCI.

 

[InterfaceMan]

Hi,

I am really ignorent on this stuff. Do I need to run hdparm from dos command or from windows ? Please let me know.

Thanks,

 

[postmortemIA]

latest intel ssd tools do that "Secure erase" BS. I didn't care for it, i just enjoyed the drive.

 

[=Wendy=]

Secure Erase (HDDErase) doesn't format the drive, it resets the NAND to factory default and blanks the drive completely.
After running HDDErase you will need to initialise the drive, create a partition, and then format the drive.

You can initialise and format the drive from a working system by adding the SSD as a spare, or from the Windows Vista/7 install DVD.

 

[FishAk]

If it's not a first generation Intel, you're not selling the drive, and you're not using it in a RAID array, I see no benefit to secure erasing it.

Simply point your Windows install disk at the drive, and go to town.

Edit:
Disconnect all other drives to ensure Windows doesn't install boot files outside the SSD.

There are also ways to keep Windows from making the small 100Mb boot partition, but you'll need to align the disk if you don't just let Windows do it's thing.

 

[razel]

Agree with the rest... don't bother with secure erase. Just start Win7 installation. During the 'choose disk' portion. Delete all your partitions on your Intel, assuming you backed up your stuff. If you're interested in Win7 not creating the 100mb extra partition, let us know and we might elaborate.

 

[InterfaceMan]

My new SSD has two partiton. (Systems reserved 100MB NTFS and drive c: 74.5GB). Do I need 100MB partition ? Please elaborate and let me know what is the best way to re-install. I do not have nay data on my SSD, only OS. I have tried to boot from CD-ROM using HIREN 11.0 and it is not working.

I will appreciate your help and advice.

Thanks,

 

[FishAk]

The 100Mb partition is only required for BitLocker, or whatever MS calls it. In order to use BitLocker, it must be supported by your MB.

However, if you allow Windows to make the partition- whither or not you will use BitLocker- Windows will load some important files there. I don't know how to move those files after the fact, and Windows won't boot without them.

To keep Windows from making that pesky little partition, you must pre-partition the drive before you let the installer go to work. Unfortunately, this introduces the problem with alignment.

Windows Vista/7 aligns partitions by default. However, if you create partitions first, you need to align them. This can be done either before or after you install Windows. The easiest way is with Paragon's alignment tool. Paragon was giving this tool away for free before July, but I don't know if you can find it free now.

 

[razel]

During the 'Choose disk' screen at the Win7 install, delete all partitions on your Intel. Create a new one, and it will tell you it will make two. Let it do so. Then delete the 2nd larger one. Extend (expand) the 1st 100MB partition to cover the rest of your disk. Click 'next.'

If you're good with the command prompt and want to avoid the creation, deletion, expansion and am familiar with diskpart, during the 'Choose disk' screen, press CTRL+F10. This will bring up a command prompt. run diskpart, do a clean (not 'clean all'... just clean) and create your partion the hardcore way.

 

[taltamir]

Please clarify what you mean by unable to format? what exactly are you doing / trying to do.

I remember that there was some odd thing with my intel G2 SSD and the win7 install utility where the installation will stall... I don't remember quite what I did to get around it, I think it was to partition, reboot, format, install... is that what you are having? because most people here have been making suggestions about performing a secure erase (to "restore" your drive to new like state) rather then actually dealing with formatting (or partitions).

 

[InterfaceMan]

I am trying to reinstall Win4 64 bit over the 32 bit. I do not want to install over the existing OS. Tried to use HDDERASE to wipe out clean and install Win7 64 bit but it did not work. HDDERASE cannot find any drive from CD-ROM boot using HIREN 11. I just got my 64bit Win7 CD today will try tonight to install. As many other suggested to try Win install rather trying HDDERASE.

 

[taltamir]

yes, simply use the windows b7 built in installer to format your drive. If that doesn't work for some reason, then let us know.
make sure you set the bios to AHCI mode before installing windows 7 64bit.

 

[bigi]

I'd grab free Parted Magic and just delete all current partitions.
Then create new NTFS partition on entire drive.

Install OS.

 

[taltamir]

you can use the windows 7 installer to delete the other partitions, no need for a special tool.
if you do need a special tool for some reason, there is also http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

 

[FishAk]

During the 'Choose disk' screen at the Win7 install, delete all partitions on your Intel. Create a new one, and it will tell you it will make two. Let it do so. Then delete the 2nd larger one. Extend (expand) the 1st 100MB partition to cover the rest of your disk. Click 'next.'

Excellent! I didn't know you could do it this way, and it certainly will properly handle the alignment.

Be sure to make an image file of your OS with your main programs installed. It will save a lot of time if/when something screws up your install, as all the work to the point of your image can be restored in a few minutes. Keep all your data on a separate partition, so your image file isn't overly large.

 

[Elganja]

You cannot use HDDErase 4.0... you must use HDDErase 3.3 for the Intel HDD's... Bootable ISO HDDErase 3.3

 

[InterfaceMan]

HDDErase 4.0 or HDDErase 3.3 does not work on my intel SSD. I tried using both and failed. Best two possible way to do is:

1. Use Intel SSD toolkit 2.0, attached the drive to another system as secondary drive ans use intel secure erase software to clean the drive.

2. Then use WIN7 disk to install and format the SSD drive.

 

[rolodomo]

HDDErase 4.0 or HDDErase 3.3 does not work on my intel SSD. I tried using both and failed. Best two possible way to do is:

1. Use Intel SSD toolkit 2.0, attached the drive to another system as secondary drive ans use intel secure erase software to clean the drive.

2. Then use WIN7 disk to install and format the SSD drive.

Glad to see you got it worked out, but the problem is not that HDDErase 3.3 doesn't work with your Intel SSD (which it does), it is because HDDErase doesn't work with the disk controller on your motherboard. HDDEerase is no longer being developed, and its support for controllers is spotty at best. In addition, many motherboard bioses will boot up SSD(s) in a frozen state, which HDDErase usually can't deal with when trying to send a secure erase command.

If it is not feasible to use the windows-based Intel SSD toolkit, another good approach (as other have hinted) is booting Linux (e.g., gparted, unbuntu, etc.) off an optical disk or USB stick to take advantage of its superior low-level disk utilities, such as hdparm. Then, you won't have to move your SSD to another computer. You also increase your chances of not even having to "touch" the SSD (e.g., temporarily disconnecting/connecting) to perform a secure erase.

 

[razel]

Interface... seriously... forget about secure erase. Secure erase isn't bad, just not an absolute necessity for your situation. It sounds like it'll be too much addtional work for you to get it to run. Unless you enjoy or get paid to troubleshoot computers, I'd just move on and install Win7.

Regardless, if you do enjoy troubleshooting and are feeling lucky, I've found that after booting and when your just about to do the secure-erase, if it's in a locked or frozen state, you can unplug and plug the power and SATA data cable. Be warned and be careful, however, I would just move on.

 

[taltamir]

Interface... seriously... forget about secure erase. Secure erase isn't bad, just not an absolute necessity for your situation. It sounds like it'll be too much addtional work for you to get it to run. Unless you enjoy or get paid to troubleshoot computers, I'd just move on and install Win7.

I agree, secure erase is absolutely useless in this situation. All he has to do is install windows 7 and then run in the intel SSD toolbox and selection optimize, that will manually trim all unused space, which is effectively as if he had secured erased the drive before installing windows.

 

[InterfaceMan]

I agree, Best way I did through Windows 7 install DVD. Also other option SSD toolkit 2.0.

Thank You.

 

[wpcoe]

During the 'Choose disk' screen at the Win7 install, delete all partitions on your Intel. Create a new one, and it will tell you it will make two. Let it do so. Then delete the 2nd larger one. Extend (expand) the 1st 100MB partition to cover the rest of your disk. Click 'next.'

I remember reading that before, but when I installed Win7 on my virgin SSD, I was waiting for the part where it will tell me it would make two partitions. It never did so, and proceeded to create the two partitions and continue on with the installation before I could do anything to intercede. :-(

 

[FishAk]

It never did so, and proceeded to create the two partitions and continue on with the installation before I could do anything to intercede. :-(

I don't remember seeing that part either, but when the install starts, you could stop it, expand the small partition on another computer, or with a bootable utility, and then start the install again. As long as you don't move the start of the small partition, it will still be aligned when it's expanded.

For some reason, I had trouble restoring an image of my OS at one point. I don't remember the exact sequence of events that led to this trouble, but I was unable to mark the partition as Active. I ended up fixing it with the W7 install disk. I just stopped the install after it formatted the partition, and I was then able to restore the image.

 

[razel]

You have to create a new partition when you get to the 'choose this disk' screen. Highlight your disk then click 'new.' Removing the 100MB partition after you have installed Win7 is a PITA. I've tried, it's possible and when you succeed, you still have to 'move' your partition to regain that 100MB correctly. It is completely not worth it... just do it right next time.