From Win11 to MX : clean SSD first [Solved]

[mixmax]

Hi there,

I've installed Linux distros several times before, but only dual boot, and this time it's a little different. For some reasons I want to replace Windows with MX (no dual boot this time, only Linux).

To make a long story short, before I turn this professional laptop into a personal one, I must ensure the SSD keeps nothing of what was previously on it. Which means that once MX is installed on it, no one must be able to recover any of the files it used to contain in its Windows days. I know wiping an entire SSD is not necessary for a linux install, but this is not my point.

What do you think would be the best thing to do ?

Thank you all!

[j2mcgreg]

For starters, give us the make and model of the laptop.

[mixmax]

For starters, give us the make and model of the laptop.

sure, here it is:
HP EliteBook 830 G6 x64 UEFI (Bios version HP R70 Ver. 01.26.00, 02/10/2023)

[j2mcgreg]

Here's what I think you should do since the SSD has to be unreadable by world plus dog:
1) Launch Win 11 and disable BitLocker and Fast Start Up
2) Enter the bios and disable Secure Boot
3) Remove the existing NVME and destroy it, or return it to the organization that was the original owner
4) Install a new NVME

This video shows you how to access and replace the NVME:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrDteU0j2Q

[mixmax]

Here's what I think you should do since the SSD has to be unreadable by world plus dog:
1) Launch Win 11 and disable BitLocker and Fast Start Up
2) Enter the bios and disable Secure Boot
3) Remove the existing NVME and destroy it, or return it to the organization that was the original owner
4) Install a new NVME

This video shows you how to access and replace the NVME:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrDteU0j2Q

Thank you, I think it would be better. The only trouble is, I had to do this once (replacing one Win SSD with another), and I just couldn't install Linux on the new one, so I put back the old SSD, and then this old SSD didn't work properly anymore). What I mean is I'm afraid that after replacing the old SSD with a new one, the bios says "what the heck is that ? I don't want new SSD, gimme back the old one!"

[j2mcgreg]

@mixmax wrote:

Thank you, I think it would be better. The only trouble is, I had to do this once (replacing one Win SSD with another), and I just couldn't install Linux on the new one, so I put back the old SSD, and then this old SSD didn't work properly anymore). What I mean is I'm afraid that after replacing the old SSD with a new one, the bios says "what the heck is that ? I don't want new SSD, gimme back the old one!"

It used to be that computer manufacturers like Compaq, Dell and a few others insisted that replacement parts be solely sourced from them. However this practice disappeared because the cost of carrying the necessary inventory greatly outpaced the revenue generated IE it wasn't a fiscally responsible practice. For this to still be an issue for you, your machine would have to have been built in 2013 or earlier. HP terminated the Compaq brand in 2013 and Compaq was the last brand to maintain this practice.

[mixmax]

It used to be that computer manufacturers like Compaq, Dell and a few others insisted that replacement parts be solely sourced from them. However this practice disappeared because the cost of carrying the necessary inventory greatly outpaced the revenue generated IE it wasn't a fiscally responsible practice. For this to still be an issue for you, your machine would have to have been built in 2013 or earlier. HP terminated the Compaq brand in 2013 and Compaq was the last brand to maintain this practice.

OK I guess the issue aforementioned was just due to the laptop itself rather than the two SSDs, then.

Anyway, what you're basically telling me is that all I have to do is to put some brand new internal SSD then boot my EliteBook from LiveUSB key to do the install, right ?
My second question: what about encryption during the install process ? What are the benefits of it ?
Oh, I forgot the third one: if I only format a usb key (without wiping it) before using it as a Live usb key, will the Linux install still be clean or is there any risk that some old data of the key might be transfered to the target SSD ?

[LU344928]

Just a thought - wouldn't it be easier (and cheaper) to use a program like Parted Magic to securely erase the current drive? Then a bootable thumb drive can be created and away you go.

I think Parted Magic used to be freeware but the last time I looked it costs only $11.

https://partedmagic.com/nvme-secure-erase/

[j2mcgreg]

Question #1 --> Yes
Question #2 --> It really depends on your personal circumstances. If you are in a profession that requires confidentiality or if you are a road warrior or student where your laptop will be exposed in a variety of locations, you should definitely encrypt. However, if you are a sedentary, retired person like myself, where my main laptop does not travel (ever), I don't bother encrypting it. When I do travel, I take my spare laptop which contains no personal information and it's not encrypted either.
Question #3 I reuse usb drives quite frequently for this purpose because as part of the write process they are completely reformatted.

[mixmax]

Just a thought - wouldn't it be easier (and cheaper) to use a program like Parted Magic to securely erase the current drive? Then a bootable thumb drive can be created and away you go.

I think Parted Magic used to be freeware but the last time I looked it costs only $11.

https://partedmagic.com/nvme-secure-erase/

Thank you.
Wouldn't ATA Secure Erase https://archive.kernel.org/oldwiki/ata. ... Erase.html do the job as well ?