Re: How to zero a failing disk drive before disposal?

On Sun, 2024-10-13 at 06:40 -0700, Ronald F. Guilmette wrote:
> Anyway, one of the drives I've got that I am hoping to dispense with
> soon is an older model WD "Passport" external 4TB USB3 drive. 
> Optimally, I'd like to simply perform [snip]

Hi,

Since I use Linux daily and FreeBSD only rarely, I do not know the
programmes that FreeBSD offers for this purpose, but I fear that there
will only be insignificant differences in this area.

Under Linux it is, apart from allegedly existing exceptions, not
possible to access an underlying, mostly SATA drive via the USB
controller.

From off-list correspondence, I know with absolute certainty that the
joys of normal operation with drives in USB enclosures are actually
always the plague, no matter which OS you use.

I use a specific enclosure from a specific company, whose controller has
firmware that causes me no problems in normal operation. I assemble
these things myself.

If you don't have an alternative connection to the USB port and the case
can't be opened, then the desired commands will most likely not get
through to the drive.

Regards,
Ralf

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