Request help on wiping an SSD

Hey guys and gals, I have an Intel 520 that I would like to use as an extra game drive that still has the old data on it. I have been reading various articles on how to wipe an SSD and most recommend only 1 pass since you do not want to damage and or reduce the lifespan of the SSD. The main problem I am having is what to use to wipe the data from it's memory cells since the Intel SSD Toolbox will not recognize it through my cablematters docking station using a USB cable.Does anyone have any ideas on software or best practices to get rid of all data off an SSD for reuse?

[QUOTE=Pacesetter]
You can try this.

The key to this tip is that you are making use of TRIM, something that is built into the OS, and supported by all SSDs these days. What TRIM does is zero flash in the background when it finds out the data is no longer needed. When you empty the recycle bin for instance, the flash that held that data gets trimmed. If you format a drive, the TRIM function is run first, which is how this tip works.

To secure erase an SSD in Windows, first run the Windows Computer Management application, and go to Disk Management (in Windows 8, simply right click the bottom left corner in Desktop mode, and start Disk Management).

Find the drive you need to secure erase, and delete all partitions from it:
Simply right click the partition, click “Remove Partition” and it will warn you that the data will be wiped.

The next step is to recreate a new partition. Right click on the unallocated space, create a new “Simple Drive” and follow the steps. Default settings are best.

Your drive is now fully trimmed, and filled with zeros!


Hope this does it for you but if not just re-post here and don't forget to include what OS you are using.



Thanks Pacesetter, I have Windows 7 Home Edition, the only thing I'm not understanding is we are talking about an SSD not HDD. Does Windows Disk Manager look at the memory cells of an SSD like partitions? And if we are talking partitions, how does Windows equate them to the cell blocks of an SSD?    

If still having a problem, can you connect your SSD to a SATA instead of the USB?    If the SATA are all occupied then temporarily disconnect one of your secondary drives or optical drive. This would allow Toolbox to be used.