ssd question

[Vasper44]

My OCZ VERTEX 2 has died, it is not even recognized in bios. My question is: Is there a way to delete my personal information off of it if I can't format it since its not showing up in bios or windows on multiple computers. I have to return it for warranty so just destroying it is not an option. I really don't want to mail it with personal information.

Thanks for any help

 

[squirrel dog]

most vendors low level format all rma's upon receipt.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Can't erase it if it's not recognized. (But as was mentioned, a reformat would probably be a part of the testing process.

Which is worth more, the data (assuming somebody at the returns place is able to fix it and get the data off of it, and they're feeling unethical) or the drive?

 

[groberts101]

OCZ won't "try to revive it".. or "test it".. therefore your data is the least of their concern.. or yours for that matter.

And even if they did "try to revive it"?.. the process used to unlock the controller is completely destructive to any data that may be present anyways. They'll just toss it into a "secure area bin" and send you a new one to replace it.

Likely a newer model since that one is no longer manufactured any more.

Have you visited their support forum and asked for help reviving it.. or placed an RMA request yet?

 

[sm625]

OCZ goes through so many drive RMAs I seriously doubt they are doing anything with the data. Although... given how many of their drives fail, you have to admit they'd make a mighty fine CIA/NSA front company for gathering personal data!

 

[BrightCandle]

If they were able to recover the drive then you data might be at risk, although I doubt it. Most drives probably can't be brought back from the dead anyway so they just get recycled and you get a new replacement.

Explain to OCZ you have sensitive data on the drive and have them explain what they will do with the disk as part of the RMA and see if you are happy with their handling of your sensitive data. If not you may be able to negotiate a replacement drive and an incineration of the old disk.

 

[groberts101]

Actually.. MOST Sandforce controlled drives CAN be brought back from the dead simply because the firmware has bricked the drive from corruption and an engineering flash is all that's required to do it. But they won't send the same drive back to you anyways for fear of reoccurance and further warranty issues down the road and will just send out a new replacement.

It's really too bad too.. because if Sandforce had allowed the general public access to destructive engineering flashes like OCZ/Indilinx allowed end users to do on their first gen drives?(and it's still available).. much of that first gen Sandforce craptastic fiasco would have been much less dramatic than it was. And for all manufacturers that used them in their ddirves too.

And I do know for fact that their policy is such that ALL drives sent in for warranty are deemed to contain "sensitive data" and are treated the same as mention above. I also know for a fact that OCZ will not give you a replacement without receiving the old one in return. You can imagine the scamming possibility that it would open up from them allowing you to just say.. "I burned it.. thanks for the new one".

 

[_Rick_]

Lesson learned: encrypt all sensitive data, before committing it to disks.

 

[groberts101]

Lesson learned: encrypt all sensitive data, before committing it to disks.

Trim.. or no trim.. many have tried that on sandforce controlled drives.. and have consequently learned hard lessons about speed degradation and recovery related issues as a result of it too.

Granted.. he would have been better off just to do individual folders.. but it does come at a price either way.

 

[Elixer]

Actually.. MOST Sandforce controlled drives CAN be brought back from the dead simply because the firmware has bricked the drive from corruption and an engineering flash is all that's required to do it.

It is more than just a flash, is it not ?
I thought you had to take apart the SSD, then do whatever that is required to 'wake' the drive up again, so it can accept the new flash.