Unlock Samsung SSD 840 PRO with hdparm

My Samsung SSD 840 PRO is locked with a password set by using the BIOS. Every time I turn on the computer, I have to type in the password. Cause there is a BIOS bug, I am not able to change the password. But I want to remove the password completly.

I tried to use hdparm for unlocking it, but this step fails:

> hdparm -I /dev/sd?

...
Master password revision code 1
     supported
     enabled
     locked
not  frozen
not  expired: security count
...

> hdparm --user-master u --security-unlock PASSWORD /dev/sd?

Issuing SECURITY_UNLOCK command, password="PASSWORD", user=user
SECURITY_ERASE: Input/output error

> hdparm --user-master m --security-unlock PASSWORD /dev/sd?

Issuing SECURITY_UNLOCK command, password="PASSWORD", user=master
SECURITY_ERASE: Input/output error

Is it possible to use the hdparm security commands on that drive?

testo

Posted 2016-03-23T14:28:37.790

Reputation: 163

That's strange. It shouldn't be locked after boot if you have successfully unlocked it when the BIOS prompt you for the password. Or have you forgotten the password and skipped unlocking by some means? – Tom Yan – 2016-03-23T19:34:07.287

Also did hdparm really give you "SECURITY_ERASE: Input/output error" when you are "Issuing SECURITY_UNLOCK"? What's the version of hdparm you are using? – Tom Yan – 2016-03-23T19:40:50.950

Maybe try padding the password with spaces to the maximum length (32 chars). For example, hdparm --security-unlock "PASSWORD[24 spaces]" /dev/sdX. Btw when I test on my Intel X25-M SSD, SECURITY_UNLOCK: Input/output error is what it gives when I entered a wrong password. – Tom Yan – 2016-03-23T19:59:20.123

Tom Yan, I first boot into a live session ubuntu 14.04, then I connect the ssd with the sata port. If the disk is connected while booting, it is not possible to boot without unlocking the disk. – testo – 2016-03-24T08:03:33.260

I also tested the disk on other hardware, where I was asked for the password, but can't unlock. My suggestion is, that the samsung bios, is changing the password in some way. I tested to use scanline codes but had no success. Filling the password up to 32 chars is an idea, I hope to have some time to test it soon. http://thaeial.blogspot.de/2013/01/locking-and-unlocking-hdd-with-dell.html

– testo – 2016-03-24T08:07:51.980

it is not possible to boot without unlocking the disk but why not unlocking the disk there? – Tom Yan – 2016-03-24T12:34:50.197

Cause I want to remove the password, but I can't use the bios. There is a bug and the disk is always in the frozen state after entering the bios. – testo – 2016-03-24T12:39:38.957

Unlock Samsung SSD 840 PRO with hdparm

I tried to use hdparm for unlocking it, but this step fails:

No answers