Which software to make use of a Samsung 850 Pro?

[VirtualLarry]

OK, but you and the OP both seem to keep missing this crucial fact: the "User password" is the "HDD Password and it's been that way for over two decades. Don't let semantics get in the way; please, carefully re-read the fifth sentence in the quoted passage from Samsung:

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Uhm, nope. You're quite wrong. BIOSes that have support for ATA Security, also have a "HDD Password" option in the BIOS, in addition to the "Master" (BIOS setup) "password", and "User" (BIOS boot) "password".

BIOS makers for desktop boards have removed the ATA Security options in the BIOS, for many years now.

Try this.

Install a SED (ATA Security supported) SSD in a PC. Set the "Master" and "User" passwords. Boot the PC, install Windows.

Now shut down the PC. Remove the SSD. Connect SSD to another PC, without any BIOS passwords set. Try to boot off of the SSD. (In fact, could connect the SSD as a slave data drive, and simply try to read it.)

I think that the results may be enlightening to you.

If necessary, I can perform the above steps with a Crucial M500 120GB SSD, brand-new, and a pair of 2007-era P35 motherboards.

 

[probedb2]

Not really. I can't recall the last time I've seen a HDD password option in the BIOS on a desktop board.

Isn't that the point? It's not called an ATA password on all boards.

Not that I have any way of verifying this as I'm not getting a new mobo yet 🙂

 

[OlyAR15]

Isn't that the point? It's not called an ATA password on all boards.

Not that I have any way of verifying this as I'm not getting a new mobo yet 🙂

No, if it isn't called an ATA or hard drive password, then it isn't. Again, the user or admin password is not the same as the ATA password. And I have verified it.

 

[probedb2]

No, if it isn't called an ATA or hard drive password, then it isn't. Again, the user or admin password is not the same as the ATA password. And I have verified it.

Now you see why I've found it hard to definitely get an answer to this 😉

 

[he-coon]

Within a week they wrote an updated BIOS, 1.07B, that has ATA Password capability.

I’m trying to resolve the same issue pre-sales in selecting a motherboard for a new build. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I’m trying to reconcile the BIOS versions you reference with the versions on the ASRock BIOS download page for this motherboard. You refer to versions 1.07 and 1.07B. The download page lists version 1.00 up to 1.70 with no 1.07. Is it possible you have transposed the “0” and the “7” and are actually running a 1.70B? Or perhaps the version numbers on their download page are versions for the download package that differ from the version numbers for the BIOS itself?

Also, they offer three download alternatives for a version – Instant Flash, DOS, and Windows. Which did they supply you for the “B” version you have with SED support?

Lastly, could you say more specifically what steps are involved in ATA password management and entry with the "B" BIOS you obtained when multiple SEDs are involved, including when you are rebooting?