f your encrypted Aegis secure device is locking when it is connected to a PC running Windows 8 or Windows 10 it is most likely due to suspend commands that Windows is issuing to the drive in order to reduce power consumption. When Windows suspends an Aegis secure device it will lock. The PIN must be entered again in order to unlock and use the drive. The following instructions will show you how to configure Windows to stop issuing suspend commands: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/prevent-hard-drive-going-sleep-windows

If Windows ignores revised power settings, PowerShell is a more effective tool for managing the suspend commands. Microsoft provides a PowerShell script here

Download the Windows PowerShell script from Microsoft and save it to C:\Temp. Right click on the Windows 10 Start icon, and from the pop up menu select ‘Windows Powershell (Admin)’. Within PowerShell change directory to C:\Temp Type: cd c:\Temp Type: Powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoProfile -File ToggleSuspend.ps1 This will list USB devices and their suspend policies. Take note of drives listed. If no USB drives are connected, nothing will be displayed. Press Enter to exit the script. Attach and unlock the Apricorn secure device to your computer. Type: Powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoProfile -File ToggleSuspend.ps1 Enter the USB drive number for the Apricorn drive (it will be the new one on the list, and likely number 1) and press Enter. Type: Powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoProfile -File ToggleSuspend.ps1 This will list USB devices and their suspend policies. Verify that the Apricorn drive has Disabled displayed under, ‘SuspendOnIdle’. Press enter to exit the script

IF the Admin PIN was the only PIN generated in initial device setup then the only option is to perform a device reset and establish a new Admin PIN. All device's data will be lost as a result of device reset. If User PIN(s) and / or data recovery PINs (Configurator-compatible devices only) were created at initial setup, then it is possible to unlock the device using any of these PINs.

Access the drive using the Admin PIN. Follow the steps in the manual to remove the User PINs (which will also remove all recovery PINs and self-destruct PIN) and then add new User PIN(s). If your device has a “Configurable” symbol on it, up to 4 recovery PINs can be programmed onto the device (typically by the Admin during initial configuration). If you forget your original user PIN, the recovery PINs will allow you to create a replacement User PIN. If your drive was issued by your workplace, your IT Administrator/Help Desk should be able to provide you the recovery PIN. Once the new User PIN is set up, you will be able to unlock the drive and access your data. If Recovery PINs were not created at initial setup, the Admin PIN can be used to unlock the drive and recover the data. Additionally the Admin can generate a new User PIN(s) from within the Admin mode. In the event that no recovery PINs were set and both the User and Admin PINs are forgotten, the drive can be reset and used again but all of the device's data will be lost as a result of the reset.

If you forget the User and Admin PINs you may still access the device using a data recovery PINs, provided they were established at initial device setup. If data recovery PINs were NOT established, you will not be able to access or recover any of its data. There are no back doors or hidden manufacturing codes that will allow data access. To resume using the device, you will need to completely reset which will result in the following:

• All data on the drive will be erased
• A new encryption key will be generated automatically
• All PINs will be deleted (Admin, User, Self-Destruct, Data-Recovery)
• A new Admin/User PIN(s) will need to be established
• Data Recovery PINs should be established
• The Aegis Secure Device will need to be reformatted

If you forget the User and Admin PINs, you will not be able to access the data. Recovery of the data will not be possible. There are no back doors or hidden manufacturing codes that will permit access to its data. You will need to completely reset the Aegis secure device which will result in the following:

• All data on the drive will be erased
• A new encryption key will be generated automatically
• All PINs will be deleted (Admin, User, Self-Destruct)
• A new Admin/User PIN(s) will need to be established
• The Aegis Secure Device will need to be reformatted