Broken SSD

[NugentS]

Guys,

Can anyone think of a way around this.....

OK - so I have a broken 32GB SSD - almost certainly an interface/controller problem rather than a memory problem - so all the data on the drive is probably still there.

The drive is covered by warranty - and the company are offering to replace it.

BUT - the company is in China and the files - well that's the issue. I just put offline copies of all my files (personal stuff) on the drive about 30 minutes before it died. If I send the drive back and they fix the controller then they have access to the files. (I was going to encrypt - but was still testing the drive and computer - and all looked good just before it locked up). IMHO the files contain enough information on me to make identity theft or worse a fairly easy proposition

Yes - I know I should have encrypted the disk before I copied the files on - but that particular stable door is wide open now and there ain't no horse / donkey left inside.

Anyone know how I can trash the data on a MLC SSD whilst still being able to send it back or am I just going to have to burn it and swallow the £100-00+ it just cost me.

Sean

 

[zak4994]

Magnetise it.

If that is covered in the warranty.

 

[monkey7]

Does that work on SSD's?

What data is on there exactly? To be honest I don't think identity theft is a very realistic problem if the controller is broken as the disk will probably just be destroyed.

 

[zak4994]

It should work considering the fact that it is like a flash card/USB.

But you know. It can vary due to nature. lollage

(The last sentence was a stupid thing I said if you can't tell)

 

[Kylevdm]

magnetism will not work it is electronically stored the only way as far as I am aware is to put a current through the chip, that is how it deletes data. Unfortunatly I cannot be of more help then that...

 

[zak4994]

Ah I see.

Forget my old post...

 

[lasher]

After the trouble i've just had with ID theft, i would nip to your local hire centre, get a steam roller and flatten the bloody thing, see these guys here https://lasers.llnl.gov/ and ask them to fire that lazer at it!!!

Swallow the loss and learn from it.

I think even if you were given hope theres a slim chance your data would be taken from the drive, why live with that worry?

 

[NugentS]

Does that work on SSD's?

What data is on there exactly? To be honest I don't think identity theft is a very realistic problem if the controller is broken as the disk will probably just be destroyed.

Bank account details, letters I have written to banks, my scanned signature, password and account names for almost all websites I have used. My address, car details, P11D details etc

Not good

 

[monkey7]

Yep, in the case I vote for flatten the thing.

 

[Kylevdm]

I think it is most definitely the case that you need to destroy it I am afraid. This could be a very interesting youtube video...

 

[mayhem]

Using a low voltage through two pins (since i know what mem chips you using i cannot tell you). But a .02V though the mem chips would be enough to wipe them.

Personally i wouldn't worrie about id theft from a good manufacture but if you are going to the extremes of wiping it then your going to invtest so time of your own to do it.. I know if it was me id jujst send back but if it was importamnt data then id wipe the drive my self.

Do u know SSd's have a Fuse on them. It could be just a blown fuse ! All you could do is bypass the fuse wipe the data. send it back (with out the by pass) get it fixed and your sorted.

Crushing it would be the last extreme resort imo. but still a good one if you so severely stuck. But if you know any thing about dds then you'll know crushing still leaves data on the chips and all it would take is some one sticking them in a new ssd and you'd get back the data.

 

[Ghosthud1]

After the trouble i've just had with ID theft, i would nip to your local hire centre, get a steam roller and flatten the bloody thing, see these guys here https://lasers.llnl.gov/ and ask them to fire that lazer at it!!!

i feel another doomsday prophecy coming along just like the one from the LHC

what SSD brand isit ?

 

[I Hunta x]

But if you know any thing about dds then you'll know crushing still leaves data on the chips and all it would take is some one sticking them in a new ssd and you'd get back the data.

In that case......

as the the ssd, id try the current through it possably,

 

[Rastalovich]

Don't wholey understand why it has to goto china under a waranty thing, and they can't just replace the thing locally.

In anycase, if they want, they can ofc just stick a new controller over it and load everything off - if it is infact the case the controller is bust. Trust them ? Probably not tbh. I wouldn't trust any1, even a reputable firm - they would ofc on the face of it be legit, but it only takes 1 employee, without the company's knowledge to rip it.

A data recover firm would get it up and running I'm sure - that is going to cost u a fortune. Even for 32g.

Got any large sources of EMF ?

 

[w3bbo]

Microwave for 10 secs - job done.

 

[Rastalovich]

lmao ya, I bet there's nothing in the warranty paperwork about microwaves.

O and do remember to video it

 

[diogojrv91]

have you decided what you will do?

 

[NugentS]

Apologies - I never replied.

Drilled a big hole through each chips

Threw it away

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman