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DCO: Device Configuration Overlay
HPA: Host Protected Area
Both are 'hidden' areas on a HDD.
I am trying to detect if my HDD has a DCO and remove it/ restore to factory settings. This is so that I can then securely erase all data on the HDD properly. I do not want hidden data in the HPA and DCO to get left behind. HPA is disabled so I am checking for a DCO.
I entered "sudo hdparm --dco-identify /dev/sda"
Terminal returned "HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(dco_identify) failed: Input/output error"
Does this mean I don't have a DCO or have I made an error in entering the command?
When I run "sudo hdparm -I /dev/sda" Security says:
Security:
Master password revision code = [redacted just in case it's sensitive data]
supported
not enabled
not locked
frozen
not expired: security count
supported: enhanced erase
Could this have something to do with the error? My drive is "frozen". Both my laptop and desktop drives say this.
Related post: How to un freeze drive in Linux?
What version of hdparm do you use? Try sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -->>This was fixed in hdparm-9.37! – Wiffzack – 2016-12-28T16:15:47.187
I am running the Linux Mint 18.1 Serena Cinnamon Live CD. I tried – user138072 – 2016-12-29T00:10:35.090
I mean what hdparm version do you use ? – Wiffzack – 2016-12-29T00:11:15.377
I accidentally submitted the previous comment and then tried to edit it. It's not letting me edit.
my post: I am running the Linux Mint 18.1 Serena Cinnamon Live CD. I tried "sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade". It returned an error suggesting it is not happy with me running that command on a live cd. I will update my original post with the output/ result from the terminal. – user138072 – 2016-12-29T00:14:15.607
I have deleted my previous comments and deleted the edit I previously made due to them now being irrelevant. Instead of running a Live CD, I have installed Linux on a 16GB USB and have updated all software successfully. I have also confirmed that I have updated to the latest version of hdparm which is 9.48. It is still giving me the same error!! – user138072 – 2016-12-29T02:53:55.660
Worth pointing out this is still happening. I get the same error on my laptop as well. I have been unable to find a single person online who has experienced or resolved this. – user138072 – 2016-12-29T21:49:16.077
https://tinyapps.org/docs/wipe_drives_hdparm.html shows the author successfully executing --dco-identify but their drive is not listed as frozen. How do I unfreeze my drive? – user138072 – 2016-12-29T21:59:48.657