How to erase every single visible and invisible file on a Solid State PCI drive?

I have various problem with my Solid State PCI drive on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) with Mojave installed.

I used the various process suggested everywhere (command R and erase from Disk Utilities using the max security) and reinstalled Mojave.

Still the same problem I had before happens. This is that ITUNES keeps opening up whenever I insert an exter hard drive, or (worse) If I plug my headset.

When I plug my headset a message appears telling me a new USB item was inserted in the machine.

For unknown reasons this message appears for a few seconds and happens randomly. I am unable to do a screenshot and add it to my query.

The applestore tells me the computer is fine and there are no hardware problems.

Is there a way to totally erase the PCI drive so nothing is left there from the previous system installation, and still be able to install Mokave again?

Thanks for any suggestions and help

MacBook

Posted on Feb 27, 2021 8:20 AM

Top-ranking reply

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,556 points

Posted on Feb 27, 2021 9:43 AM

Never use max security erase on SSDs. All it does is rewrite the same cells over and over, greatly reducing the drive's life cycle.

Boot to the drive normally and encrypt the drive with FileVault. It can be any password you want, but make sure to write it down. When FileVault is done, boot via Command+R. Launch Disk Utility and choose to erase the drive. I think this is where you may need the encryption password. If not, then nothing lost.

All you need to do is a simple, quick erase. This wipes out the area holding the file table, and more importantly, the encryption key.

Quit Disk Utility and install Mojave. It doesn't matter if your data is still on areas of the drive not overwritten by the OS install. It's all encrypted with no key available to get at it.

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How to erase every single visible and invisible file on a Solid State PCI drive?

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