Using SeaChest Bootable to blockerase SSD

 

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 of 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.

  1. Download SeaChest from the support page
  2. Extract the zip
  3. Open the USB boot maker folder
  4. Launch the USB boot maker exe
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions
  6. After completion, shutdown or restart the computer

Erasing a drive using blockerase

  1. During boot, select the USB device
  2. After booting, you will see a > with a flashing cursor
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.