How to safely remove partitions from a samsung xp941 m.2 SSD.

[Jak_Sparra]

Hi,

Ok, so I finally worked out how to get my PC to recognize the samsung xp941 M.2 SSD plugged into the M.2 ULTRA slot on the motherboard (PCIe X 4).

Now my new problem is that I installed Windows 8.1 but then after screwing a few setting up I decided to install it again and time how long it takes. BUT now there are old partitions showing on the SSD and it seems to be running horrifically slow as it thinks it is a smaller drive!.

It is my understanding that you must never 'Secure erase' the drive is it will permanently destroy it. So if I go ahead and install windows again from scratch, how to I get the SSD to act like new again and safely get rid of everything I've done?

Any advice, links or comments welcome.

 

[i7Baby]

Installing Windows will get rid of partitions, make new ones and reformat it.

You can also delete partitions per http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/delete-a-hard-disk-partition#1TC=windows-7

 

[VincentP]

Windows won't automatically delete partitions on install, but you do get advanced options to delete existing partitions during the install.
Since Windows is installed on this drive, you need to boot from something else in order to delete all partitions on the drive and start again.
The Windows boot disk is the easiest way to do this, but you could use any other bootable CD that can delete the partitions.
You don't have to worry about any physical damage while deleting partitions.
You just have to wary of programs like dban that securely erase data because the huge number of writes that these perform could shorten the life of your drive.

 

[Jak_Sparra]

Windows won't automatically delete partitions on install, but you do get advanced options to delete existing partitions during the install.
Since Windows is installed on this drive, you need to boot from something else in order to delete all partitions on the drive and start again.
The Windows boot disk is the easiest way to do this, but you could use any other bootable CD that can delete the partitions.
You don't have to worry about any physical damage while deleting partitions.
You just have to wary of programs like dban that securely erase data because the huge number of writes that these perform could shorten the life of your drive.[/quotems

Hmmm, the problem is that If I boot using my Samsung 850 EVO it is in legacy mode, and windows can not see the M.2 SSD.

So can I boot using the UEFI (Secure Boot enabled, CSM disabled) straight from my Windows 8,1 USB boot 'thumb drive'. Then when it asks which SSD I want to install to I choose the M.2, then use the installation software to delete existing partitions? Or will that not work?

 

[VincentP]

Windows won't automatically delete partitions on install, but you do get advanced options to delete existing partitions during the install.
Since Windows is installed on this drive, you need to boot from something else in order to delete all partitions on the drive and start again.
The Windows boot disk is the easiest way to do this, but you could use any other bootable CD that can delete the partitions.
You don't have to worry about any physical damage while deleting partitions.
You just have to wary of programs like dban that securely erase data because the huge number of writes that these perform could shorten the life of your drive.

Hmmm, the problem is that If I boot using my Samsung 850 EVO it is in legacy mode, and windows can not see the M.2 SSD.

So can I boot using the UEFI (Secure Boot enabled, CSM disabled) straight from my Windows 8,1 USB boot 'thumb drive'. Then when it asks which SSD I want to install to I choose the M.2, then use the installation software to delete existing partitions? Or will that not work?

Boot from the USB device and before selecting where to install, use the advanced buttons on this same install screen to delete existing partitions. At least this was available with Winodows 7 and I assume it is still there with Windows 8.1.

 

[RamCity]

Boot from the USB device and before selecting where to install, use the advanced buttons on this same install screen to delete existing partitions. At least this was available with Windows 7 and I assume it is still there with Windows 8.1.

Yes, this method is also true for Windows 8.1. You can also use 'diskpart' from the command line if you are able to boot Windows XP/7/8.1 from another drive. This is the command sequence:

diskpart
list disk
select disk <x> - (replace <x> with the disk number of the XP941 shown from the command above)
clean

This will effectively clean all GPT and MBR partitions from the drive. It's not a secure erase though. Secure erase is 'clean all' but don't do that on the XP941 unless you want to turn it into an expensive bookmark. It will brick the drive.

Rod

 

[The Original Ralph]

fwiw, i've used diskpart to "clean" my xp941 3-4 times (had a heck of a time getting winn 7 installed, but did finally)

diskpart gave no issues - and in case the OP isn't aware, Rod at Ramcity sells these drives, and i believe was the first vendor to carry them, so i suspect he's hit the nail on the head

I've also deleted the partitions in Disk Management a couple of times and had no issues from that route