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?
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.