"Secure Erase Fee Space failed - Couldn't create temporary file" error message - Help!

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"Secure Erase Fee Space failed - Couldn't create temporary file" error message - Help!

I have an iMac 10.9.5, and I get the following error message when deleting free space using Disk Utility: "Secure Erase Free Space failed ... Couldn't create temporary file." Since the program had been running for about 2 hours before the error message appeared, I wonder if at least a part of the empty space had in fact been deleted. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Jan 21, 2016 2:55 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

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Jan 21, 2016 3:08 PM in response to duddles66

The process creates a temp file in which all removed files are archived until the completion. The error usually means you ran out of disk space or the temp file has become corrupted.

Why are you doing this? It's a silly waste of time not to mention the risk of corrupting the entire disk. It was finally removed as a system option with the release of El Capitan.

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Answer 2

duddles66 Author

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Jan 21, 2016 4:28 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy for your comments. I have now managed to delete the free space by using Disk Utility in the Recovery Mode, i.e. by booting up while simultaneously pressing the "Control" and "R" keys.

My reason for wanting to do this was to write over the data from deleted personal files so that it cannot be recovered. I'd be interested to know: (a) why you believe this process is a waste of time; (b) why would the process risk corrupting the entire disk; and (c) how you would delete free space when using El Capitan.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jan 22, 2016 7:48 AM in response to duddles66

The best method for securing your information is to enable FileVault 2 and encrypt your drive. Furthermore, the secure erase option has been removed from El Capitan for many reasons such as mine, and also to avoid using it on SSDs. It can potentially ruin an SSD and will definitely shorten the life of the SSD.

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