Unfreezing an SSD using GParted Live: Asus Laptop won't run secure-erase function

Unfreezing SSD on an ASUS Laptop using GParted Live: A Solution when Secure-Erase Function Fails

Are you looking to sell your ASUS laptop but want to ensure that your data is completely wiped from the SSD? If the built-in secure-erase function is not working, this article provides a solution using GParted Live CD. In this article, we will cover the key concepts of freezing and unfreezing an SSD, the steps to create a GParted Live CD, and how to use it to securely erase your SSD. We will also provide useful references for further reading.

What is Freezing and Unfreezing an SSD?

Freezing and unfreezing an SSD is a technique used to bypass the built-in security features of an SSD. When an SSD is frozen, it prevents the controller from carrying out any sensitive operations such as secure erase. Unfreezing the SSD allows the controller to perform these operations again. This technique can be useful when the built-in secure erase function fails, and you need to wipe the SSD before selling or disposing of your ASUS laptop.

Creating a GParted Live CD

GParted Live CD is a free and open-source utility that can be used to manage disk partitions and securely erase SSDs. To create a GParted Live CD, follow these steps:

1. Download the GParted Live CD ISO image from the official website.
2. Burn the ISO image to a CD or create a bootable USB drive using a tool such as dd or Rufus.

Unfreezing the SSD using GParted Live

Once you have created a GParted Live CD, follow these steps to unfreeze the SSD and perform a secure erase:

1. Boot your ASUS laptop from the GParted Live CD.
2. Open a terminal window and run the following command to list all the block devices:

This will display a list of all the block devices, including the frozen SSD. Note down the device name of the frozen SSD.

3. Run the following command to unfreeze the SSD:

Replace <device name> with the device name of the frozen SSD. This command will display detailed information about the SSD, including its security status. If the SSD is frozen, you can unfreeze it by running the following command:

Replace <password> with the password used to freeze the SSD. This command will unfreeze the SSD and allow you to perform a secure erase.

4. Once the SSD is unfreezen, you can perform a secure erase using the following command:

This command will overwrite all the data on the SSD with zeros, effectively wiping it clean.

In this article, we covered the key concepts of freezing and unfreezing an SSD, the steps to create a GParted Live CD, and how to use it to securely erase an SSD. If you are looking to sell your ASUS laptop but want to ensure that your data is completely wiped from the SSD, GParted Live CD can be a useful tool. Always remember to back up any important data before performing a secure erase.

References

• GParted Official Website
• hdparm Man Page
• ssd-zero Man Page