SSD BIOS Wipe

[SteveB17]

I wanted to know if there is an easy way to wipe my SSD from an MSI BIOS Menu. If not, a software to wipe my SSD.

Thanks.

 

[nzalog]

What is the purpose? There are different ways to do this some may be more secure than others.

 

[boosted1g]

To reinstall windows then just have it quick format and reinstall windows.

Now if you are selling the PC and wanting a secure erase then you will need a software specifically for SSD drives. Using a normal HDD secure erase software will greatly slow down the SSD and remove a small amount of its writing lifespan

 

[SteveB17]

I just need to wipe the SSD drive and re-install windows 10 as my PC is at a kind of broken state which i don't know how to fix anymore, i created a whole other thread on what is going on with my PC. However everything i got told to do, i attempted and none of it seemed to get me any closer of getting my PC working again. So i have just come to the conclusion that the best thing to really do is just to wipe it all and start again. It has to be done through BIOS or a software that can be put onto a USB as the problem that i am experiencing with my PC is not allowing me to go on windows itself.

 

[boosted1g]

You dont have to boot into windows, you can wipe the drive and reinstall direct from the windows installation software.

If you have a OEM computer (Dell, HP, etc) then you likely have a recovery partition that will do all of this for you.
Otherwise (if you dont already have a CD/USB of Windows 10) you will need to download a copy of the windows media creation tool on another computer and then save the file to preferably a USB flash drive. Then boot broken computer from the flash drive and install windows.

https://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/

 

[nzalog]

Boot your windows installer DVD/USB:

At this point go to 'repair my PC'> troubleshooting > get a command prompt.

At command prompt, type 'diskpart'

then in diskpart type the following.

'list disk'

it should tell you your disks, remember the number of the disk you want to erase and install on.

Now type 'select disk 0' or possibly this 'select disk 1' (just depends on the number your SSD drive is).

Once you have selected the SSD drive # in diskpart and your sure you have nothing you need on it type "clean" and hit enter.

This should wipe your SSD drive 100%.

at this point you can type 'exit' to get out of diskpart.

Now you can type 'setup' and hit enter and do your install again.

 

[SteveB17]

Ok Cheers, i'll give this a go now

 

[SteveB17]

Thank you! This did work and i have everything re-installed on my PC, However i installed Windows on my Hard Drive and not my SSD so now its slow. Will wiping clean again and putting windows on SSD instead make it faster.

 

[nzalog]

Yes, installing to the SSD will make it faster. Make sure that the SSD is plugged into the first Sata port (they are usually numbered). This will help with making sure that your computer boots from it first. Also I recommend wiping the HDD so that you don't have two windows installations after you install on the SSD.

Lastly to ensure you're installing on the SSD just unplug the Sata cable from the HDD until you get windows installed. This will also prevent windows from doing things like installing a boot partition or boot record on the HDD and installing rest of windows on the SSD. This can cause unexpected complications later.

 

[SteveB17]

Ok thanks man i'll give it a go now and get to you ASAP. Cheers

 

[SteveB17]

Yes! thank you, my PC is now faster and I have reinstalled all my games and stuff to get it back to the state it was at. Can't thank you enough

 

[nzalog]

No problem, unless you need anymore help please select the a best answer for the question.

 

[SteveB17]

Done, Cheers