I've got a lot (approx 50!) drives that all have password protection. I want to secure erase these drives (not interested in getting to the contents), but am struggling on how to do this.

When the drives are directly connected to my laptop, when I start the laptop, it won't get past the password (so can't boot into BIOS or bypass to start any tools like partedmagic).
If connected via USB then I can start partedmagic, but can't then issue the secure-erase command as not supported by external drive.

Any thoughts on how I can erase these?

Thanks,

You need to unlock it 1st then secure erase
without unlocking you cannot

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Kuwait Data Recovery - UNIX GTC
The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. By: Albert Einstein

no need to unlock if master pwd is left default and the security level is high.
pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

I think based on the OP scenario it looks like those drives are Locked by password (set by some user (Laptop Bios)
and again you cannot format it unless you unlock it 1st.

pepe, its not important to be a WD (Master passwd) just saying

_________________
Kuwait Data Recovery - UNIX GTC
The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. By: Albert Einstein

Hi, the passwords are locked by password (Bios in laptop). Can't get into BIOS to reset, and drives don't appear if connected by USB. Are these now beyond use? They are a mixture of makes (Hitachi, WD, Seagate)

I think you must connect them to SATA port in order to work on firmware level. Drive cant be accessed through USB for low level work.(some specific at least)