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With the command hdparm -I /dev/sdX you can check if ATA Secure Erase is supported by the respective hard disk. If the output shows among others things supported: enhanced erase this is the case. Instead of sdX you must of course specify the respective hard disk.
Edit: You should run this command anyway to make sure that the hard disk in question is not frozen (https://archive.kernel.org/oldwiki/ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase.html#Step_1a_-_Ensure_the_drive_is_not_frozen:).
Ok My drive does not have the feature - and took the hdparm --security-erase-enhanced without any error. I guess I will use dd then.
You will get an error
Not in my case.
After I posted :
I ran hdparm --security... and did not get an error.
Then I ran hpparm -I and found that the drive did not have the secure erase feature.
So I did not get the error on a drive that should have errored. I am guessing the Security Erase command just spews the appropriate command at the drive and nothing Is reported back.