Problem with partitioning - disk permanently falls back to old p-table

Question

Hey Guys!
I'm quite desperate and can't find answers for the following problem - maybe some of you already had a similiar problem.
I want to reuse a SSD that I used on a different machine as primary system drive. It's partition-table:
# fdisk -l /dev/sda
Disk /dev/sda: 119.2 GiB, 128035676160 bytes, 250069680 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x0004f0e5
Device     Boot  Start       End   Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sda1  *      2048    499711    497664  243M 83 Linux
/dev/sda2       501758 250068991 249567234  119G  5 Extended
/dev/sda5       501760 250068991 249567232  119G 8e Linux LVM
There is a LVM volume group with two volumes (root and swap) on sda5. No matter how I try to destroy the LVM setup and the partitioning, it is always "reseted" to this setup.
I tried: lvremove, vgremove, pvremove, fdisk, cfdisk, gdisk, cgdisk, dd from /dev/null, testdisk - with and without reboots, from arch-linux booted from usb and from an ubuntu-live-cd. No matter what, the partitioning does not change.
Why I want to reformat it? I want to use the drive as cache for zfs-on-linux.
It feels like the drive is somehow write-protected.
Has anyone suggestions what to try next?

Answer 1

Thanks @ROOKIE
Sadly didn't work either - see below. Underneath I added results of smart-tests - maybe I miss something.
$ sudo lsblk
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda      8:0    0 119.2G  0 disk
|-sda1   8:1    0   243M  0 part
|-sda2   8:2    0     1K  0 part
`-sda5   8:5    0   119G  0 part
sdc      8:32   1   7.4G  0 disk
|-sdc1   8:33   1   512M  0 part
`-sdc2   8:34   1   6.9G  0 part
sdd      8:48   1   7.4G  0 disk
|-sdd1   8:49   1   512M  0 part /boot
`-sdd2   8:50   1   6.9G  0 part
sr0     11:0    1  1024M  0 rom 
zram0  254:0    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram1  254:1    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram2  254:2    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram3  254:3    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
$ sudo blkdiscard -v /dev/sda
/dev/sda: Discarded 128035676160 bytes from the offset 0
$ sudo blkdiscard -v /dev/sda
/dev/sda: Discarded 128035676160 bytes from the offset 0
$ sudo fdisk /dev/sda
Welcome to fdisk (util-linux 2.26.1).                                                                                                                                                                                   
Changes will remain in memory only, until you decide to write them.
Be careful before using the write command.
Command (m for help): o
Created a new DOS disklabel with disk identifier 0x591d429c.
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered.
Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.
Syncing disks.
$ lsblk
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda      8:0    0 119.2G  0 disk
|-sda1   8:1    0   243M  0 part
|-sda2   8:2    0     1K  0 part
`-sda5   8:5    0   119G  0 part
sdc      8:32   1   7.4G  0 disk
|-sdc1   8:33   1   512M  0 part
`-sdc2   8:34   1   6.9G  0 part
sdd      8:48   1   7.4G  0 disk
|-sdd1   8:49   1   512M  0 part /boot
`-sdd2   8:50   1   6.9G  0 part
sr0     11:0    1  1024M  0 rom 
zram0  254:0    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram1  254:1    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram2  254:2    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram3  254:3    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
$ sudo blkdiscard -v /dev/sda
/dev/sda: Discarded 128035676160 bytes from the offset 0
$ lsblk
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda      8:0    0 119.2G  0 disk
|-sda1   8:1    0   243M  0 part
|-sda2   8:2    0     1K  0 part
`-sda5   8:5    0   119G  0 part
sdc      8:32   1   7.4G  0 disk
|-sdc1   8:33   1   512M  0 part
`-sdc2   8:34   1   6.9G  0 part
sdd      8:48   1   7.4G  0 disk
|-sdd1   8:49   1   512M  0 part /boot
`-sdd2   8:50   1   6.9G  0 part
sr0     11:0    1  1024M  0 rom 
zram0  254:0    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram1  254:1    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram2  254:2    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
zram3  254:3    0  75.1M  0 disk [SWAP]
I checked smart too now:
$ sudo smartctl -t long /dev/sda
smartctl 6.3 2014-07-26 r3976 [x86_64-linux-3.19.3-3-ARCH] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-14, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org
=== START OF OFFLINE IMMEDIATE AND SELF-TEST SECTION ===
Sending command: "Execute SMART Extended self-test routine immediately in off-line mode".
Drive command "Execute SMART Extended self-test routine immediately in off-line mode" successful.
Testing has begun.
Please wait 1 minutes for test to complete.
Test will complete after Fri Apr 17 12:22:27 2015
Use smartctl -X to abort test.
$ sudo smartctl -H /dev/sda
smartctl 6.3 2014-07-26 r3976 [x86_64-linux-3.19.3-3-ARCH] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-14, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org
=== START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION ===
SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED
$ sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda
smartctl 6.3 2014-07-26 r3976 [x86_64-linux-3.19.3-3-ARCH] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-14, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org
=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===
Model Family:     JMicron based SSDs
Device Model:     KINGSTON SNV425S2128GB
Serial Number:    07WA50010371
Firmware Version: D100309a
User Capacity:    128,035,676,160 bytes [128 GB]
Sector Size:      512 bytes logical/physical
Rotation Rate:    Solid State Device
Form Factor:      2.5 inches
Device is:        In smartctl database [for details use: -P show]
ATA Version is:   ATA8-ACS (minor revision not indicated)
SATA Version is:  SATA 2.6, 3.0 Gb/s
Local Time is:    Fri Apr 17 12:31:57 2015 CEST
SMART support is: Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is: Enabled
=== START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION ===
SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED
General SMART Values:
Offline data collection status:  (0x00) Offline data collection activity
                                        was never started.
                                        Auto Offline Data Collection: Disabled.
Self-test execution status:      (   0) The previous self-test routine completed
                                        without error or no self-test has ever
                                        been run.
Total time to complete Offline
data collection:                (   30) seconds.
Offline data collection
capabilities:                    (0x1b) SMART execute Offline immediate.
                                        Auto Offline data collection on/off support.
                                        Suspend Offline collection upon new
                                        command.
                                        Offline surface scan supported.
                                        Self-test supported.
                                        No Conveyance Self-test supported.
                                        No Selective Self-test supported.
SMART capabilities:            (0x0003) Saves SMART data before entering
                                        power-saving mode.
                                        Supports SMART auto save timer.
Error logging capability:        (0x01) Error logging supported.
                                        General Purpose Logging supported.
Short self-test routine
recommended polling time:        (   1) minutes.
Extended self-test routine
recommended polling time:        (   1) minutes.
SMART Attributes Data Structure revision number: 16
Vendor Specific SMART Attributes with Thresholds:
ID# ATTRIBUTE_NAME          FLAG     VALUE WORST THRESH TYPE      UPDATED  WHEN_FAILED RAW_VALUE
  1 Raw_Read_Error_Rate     0x000b   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
  2 Throughput_Performance  0x0005   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Offline      -       0
  3 Unknown_Attribute       0x0007   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
  5 Reallocated_Sector_Ct   0x0013   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
  7 Unknown_Attribute       0x000b   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
  8 Unknown_Attribute       0x0005   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Offline      -       0
  9 Power_On_Hours          0x0012   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       12054
10 Unknown_Attribute       0x0013   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
12 Power_Cycle_Count       0x0012   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       5448
168 SATA_Phy_Error_Count    0x0012   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
175 Bad_Cluster_Table_Count 0x0003   100   100   010    Pre-fail  Always       -       29
192 Unexpect_Power_Loss_Ct  0x0012   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
194 Temperature_Celsius     0x0022   052   100   020    Old_age   Always       -       52 (Min/Max 29/52)
197 Current_Pending_Sector  0x0012   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
240 Unknown_Attribute       0x0013   100   100   050    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
170 Bad_Block_Count         0x0003   100   100   010    Pre-fail  Always       -       144 329 118
173 Erase_Count             0x0012   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       6399 10521 7887
SMART Error Log Version: 1
ATA Error Count: 153 (device log contains only the most recent five errors)
        CR = Command Register [HEX]
        FR = Features Register [HEX]
        SC = Sector Count Register [HEX]
        SN = Sector Number Register [HEX]
        CL = Cylinder Low Register [HEX]
        CH = Cylinder High Register [HEX]
        DH = Device/Head Register [HEX]
        DC = Device Command Register [HEX]
        ER = Error register [HEX]
        ST = Status register [HEX]
Powered_Up_Time is measured from power on, and printed as
DDd+hh:mm:SS.sss where DD=days, hh=hours, mm=minutes,
SS=sec, and sss=millisec. It "wraps" after 49.710 days.
Error 153 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 11818 hours (492 days + 10 hours)
  When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.
  After command completion occurred, registers were:
  ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
  40 51 00 28 66 d3 eb  Error: UNC at LBA = 0x0bd36628 = 198403624
  Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
  CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC   Powered_Up_Time  Command/Feature_Name
  c8 00 08 28 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 08  36d+21:07:12.000  IDENTIFY DEVICE
  ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 08  36d+21:07:12.000  SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]
  ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 08  36d+21:07:12.000  IDENTIFY DEVICE
  c8 00 08 28 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
Error 152 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 11818 hours (492 days + 10 hours)
  When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.
  After command completion occurred, registers were:
  ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
  40 51 00 28 66 d3 eb  Error: UNC at LBA = 0x0bd36628 = 198403624
  Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
  CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC   Powered_Up_Time  Command/Feature_Name
  c8 00 08 28 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 20 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 18 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 10 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 08 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
Error 151 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 11818 hours (492 days + 10 hours)
  When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.
  After command completion occurred, registers were:
  ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
  40 51 00 00 66 d3 eb  Error: UNC at LBA = 0x0bd36600 = 198403584
  Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
  CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC   Powered_Up_Time  Command/Feature_Name
  c8 00 00 00 66 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 00 00 65 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 00 00 64 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 00 00 63 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
  c8 00 00 00 62 d3 eb 08  36d+21:07:12.000  READ DMA
Error 150 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 6211 hours (258 days + 19 hours)
  When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.
  After command completion occurred, registers were:
  ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
  40 51 00 a8 f6 75 eb  Error: UNC at LBA = 0x0b75f6a8 = 192280232
  Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
  CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC   Powered_Up_Time  Command/Feature_Name
  c8 00 08 a8 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.600  READ DMA
  ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 08      04:55:01.600  IDENTIFY DEVICE
  ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 08      04:55:01.600  SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]
  ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 08      04:55:01.600  IDENTIFY DEVICE
  c8 00 08 a8 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.500  READ DMA
Error 149 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 6211 hours (258 days + 19 hours)
  When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.
  After command completion occurred, registers were:
  ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
  40 51 00 a8 f6 75 eb  Error: UNC at LBA = 0x0b75f6a8 = 192280232
  Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
  CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC   Powered_Up_Time  Command/Feature_Name
  c8 00 08 a8 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.500  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 a0 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.500  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 98 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.500  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 90 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.500  READ DMA
  c8 00 08 88 f6 75 eb 08      04:55:01.500  READ DMA
SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1
Num  Test_Description    Status                  Remaining  LifeTime(hours)  LBA_of_first_error
# 1  Extended offline    Completed without error       00%     12054         -
# 2  Extended offline    Completed without error       00%     11117         -
# 3  Short offline       Completed without error       00%     11116         -
# 4  Extended offline    Completed without error       00%     11100         -
# 5  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      6804         -
# 6  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2818         -
# 7  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2750         -
# 8  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2744         -
# 9  Short offline       Aborted by host               00%      2521         -
#10  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2448         -
#11  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2290         -
#12  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2120         -
#13  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      2021         -
#14  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1936         -
#15  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1859         -
#16  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1823         -
#17  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1727         -
#18  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1687         -
#19  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1580         -
#20  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1292         -
#21  Short offline       Completed without error       00%      1245         -
Selective Self-tests/Logging not supported