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

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024, at 10:05, Ralf Mardorf wrote:
> 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
>
> Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

hdparm is the required program on both Linux and *BSD.  The procedure is set drive security password and then issue Secure Erase.

— Robert