Seagate MOMENTUS ST9100826A - Manual (Page 29)

Momentus 5400 FDE Product Manual, Rev. C 23
3.4.1 Drive installation
Upon receipt by the consumer, the drive’s user interface is identical to a Momentus 5400.2 drive. The normal
ATA security commands are functioning and available for initialization of the password as follows:
Per normal ATA Security Commands specifications, the drive is unlocked and all ATA security commands and
all normal ATA commands may be issued.
1. Consumer accesses the computer manufacturer’s BIOS set-up screen.
2. Consumer selects option to set User Password.
After setting the User password, the drive is now under access control (locked) and will require a password
for future accesses.
3. Optional: Consumer selects the option to set the Master password from the BIOS choices.
4. Consumer exits the BIOS settings menu and continues with the boot process.
5. The BIOS enters the Security Freeze Command (F5) prior to exiting the boot sequence.
3.4.2 Consumer usage
After initialization, the consumer will just need to enter their User password each time the computer is booted
according to the following description:
1. The computer system is turned on or the hardware is reset.
2. The drive reports to the BIOS that it is in the locked state per standard ATA Security Command reporting.
3. The BIOS queries the user for the password.
4. The BIOS supplies the password to the drive using the Security Unlock Command (F2).
5. The drive is unlocked and the BIOS may continue the booting process.
6. The BIOS enters the Security Freeze Lock Command (F5) prior to exiting the boot sequence.
3.5 Security Erase--ATA security commands
The Momentus 5400 FDE provides powerful features for cryptographically erasing the drive for disposal or
repurposing. The drive uses the ATA Security Erase Prepare (F3) and ATA Security Erase (F4) commands to
perform the cryptographic erase.
3.5.1 Security Thaw command
Most current laptop/notebook computer BIOS’s issue a Freeze Lock command to the drive during the boot pro-
cess. This prevents issuing the ATA Security commands. To allow for secure erase, the Momentus 5400 FDE
has a new command named Security Thaw (F7). Issuing the Security Thaw command with either User or Mas-
ter password supplied will remove the Freeze Lock from the drive.
3.5.2 Security Erase procedure
Using the Security Thaw command and the Security Erase commands, the drive may be cryptographically
erased according to the following procedure:
1. Consumer boots up the computer normally according to the Consumer Usage section above.
2. Consumer invokes software or BIOS option for Erase.
3. The software or BIOS queries the user for either the User or Master password.
4. The software or BIOS issues the Security Thaw command (F7) to the drive supplying the given password.
5. The drive removes the Freeze Lock--Security commands may now be issued.