Passwords

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Apacer SSD forced itself into read-only mode -- how can this be reversed? Anyone know what pw Apacer uses? (slrpnk.net)

submitted 1 week ago by activistPnk@slrpnk.net to c/passwords@infosec.pub

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cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/21033639

The background is here. In short, an SSD with the “Apacer” brand froze itself into read-only mode, presumably due to reaching a point of poor reliability.

The data on the drive is useless. It was part way through installing linux when it happened. I would like to reverse that switch to make one last write operation (to write a live linux distro), which thereafter can be read-only.

I have heard some speculation that the manufacturer uses password to impose read-only mode. If true, then the password would be in the drive’s firmware. Does anyone know what Apacer uses for this password?

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[–] activistPnk@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

In this case it’s an “Apacer” drive.. some no name brand. It seems unlikely that I would be able to track down a responsive customer service worker. Seems like really a long-shot because even if I reach someone they will consider it a waste of their time and money that they are even talking to someone well after a warranty period is over. And from there, anything that enables someone to put a product back into service rather than buy a new drive is probably treated as a trade secret. Perhaps some social engineering could be used to reach an employee disgruntled enough to help.

[–] BilboBargains@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

It sucks that we can't maintain much of our machinery. This problem is most acute with anything that has embedded code. Good luck with your search.