# Duress PIN - For Plausible Deniability Mode (`vhd4.vhd`) User Manual
This document explains how to use the **Duress PIN - For Plausible Deniability Mode** feature by creating a `vhd4.vhd` file in the root folder and showing only that VHD on the PC when the device is unlocked with the User 4 PIN.
**Supported products:** This feature is supported only on **ST400** and **MINI PRO**.
---
## 1. Creating and Using `vhd4.vhd`
The basic procedure is as follows.
1. Unlock the device with a PIN other than the **User 4 PIN**.
2. On the PC, create the `vhd4.vhd` file in the **root folder** of the first partition.
3. Make sure `vhd4.vhd` is in the root folder, not in a subfolder.
4. Return to the root folder list on the device screen.
5. Press **Key 1** to rebuild the root folder list. You can also reboot the device, or enter a subfolder and return to the root folder.
6. When `vhd4.vhd` appears in the list, the device updates the VHD setting.
7. Unlock the device again with the **User 4 PIN**.
8. The PC shows a disk whose size matches `vhd4.vhd`.
Important points:
- The file name must be exactly `vhd4.vhd`.
- The file must be located in the root folder of the first partition.
- `vhd4.vhd` must be stored contiguously on the disk. It must also be a fixed-size VHD.
- After creating `vhd4.vhd`, the root folder list must be rebuilt. Use **Key 1**, reboot the device, or enter a subfolder and return to the root folder.
- Rebuild the root folder list only while unlocked with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN.
- However, a user with **disk write protection** cannot update the VHD setting.
---
## 2. Setup PIN and Duress PIN
| Type | Purpose | What the PC Sees |
|------|---------|------------------|
| PIN other than User 4 | File management, ISO/VHD management, `vhd4.vhd` setting update | Normal physical partition |
| User 4 PIN (Duress PIN) | `vhd4.vhd` use | Disk sized to `vhd4.vhd` |
When you unlock with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN, you can see the files in the root folder. In this state, create or delete `vhd4.vhd`, then rebuild the root folder list to update the setting.
The User 4 PIN works as the Duress PIN and shows only `vhd4.vhd` in Plausible Deniability Mode. When you unlock with the User 4 PIN, the device does not scan the root folder again. Before using the User 4 PIN, update the `vhd4.vhd` setting first while unlocked with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN.
A user with disk write protection cannot update the `vhd4.vhd` setting.
---
## 3. `vhd4.vhd` File Requirements
`vhd4.vhd` must meet the following requirements.
| Item | Requirement |
|------|-------------|
| File name | `vhd4.vhd` |
| Location | Root folder of the first partition |
| Format | VHD file |
| Placement | Contiguous, without fragmentation |
Select `vhd4.vhd` and press **Key 5** to display the file information message. The `fragment` value in this message must be `1`.
A fragmented `vhd4.vhd` cannot be used. If the LCD shows a defragmentation or `DEFRAG` message, recreate `vhd4.vhd` as a contiguous file on the PC, then unlock with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN and rebuild the root folder list.
---
## 4. Rebuilding the Root Folder List
The device checks whether `vhd4.vhd` exists when it builds the root folder list.
Rebuild the root folder list in the following cases:
- You created `vhd4.vhd` on the PC.
- You deleted `vhd4.vhd` on the PC.
- You copied `vhd4.vhd` again or recreated it.
- You fixed a fragmentation issue and need to check the file again.
Use one of the following methods to rebuild the root folder list:
- Press **Key 1**.
- Reboot the device.
- Enter a subfolder, then return to the root folder.
Behavior when rebuilding the root folder list:
| State | Device Behavior |
|-------|-----------------|
| `vhd4.vhd` exists and is not fragmented | Updates the VHD setting for use with the User 4 PIN |
| `vhd4.vhd` exists but is fragmented | Does not apply the VHD setting |
| `vhd4.vhd` does not exist | Deletes the saved VHD setting |
---
## 5. What the PC Sees
| State | What the PC Sees |
|-------|------------------|
| Unlocked with a PIN other than User 4 | Normal physical partition |
| Unlocked with the User 4 PIN, valid `vhd4.vhd` setting | Disk sized to `vhd4.vhd` |
| Unlocked with the User 4 PIN, no setting | The VHD disk may not appear |
| `vhd4.vhd` is fragmented | The VHD disk may not appear or may not be applied |
While unlocked with the User 4 PIN, you cannot see other files from the physical partition. To manage files on the physical partition, unlock again with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN.
---
## 6. Troubleshooting
### The VHD Disk Does Not Appear After Unlocking With the User 4 PIN
1. Unlock the device with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN.
2. Check that `vhd4.vhd` exists in the root folder.
3. Rebuild the root folder list by pressing **Key 1**, rebooting the device, or entering a subfolder and returning to the root folder.
4. Check that `vhd4.vhd` is not fragmented.
5. Unlock again with the User 4 PIN.
If the PIN used to update the setting has disk write protection enabled, the VHD setting cannot be updated.
### The Device Does Not Recognize `vhd4.vhd` After It Is Created
- Make sure the file name is exactly `vhd4.vhd`.
- Make sure the file is in the root folder of the first partition.
- Make sure the root folder list was rebuilt after creating the file. Pressing **Key 1**, rebooting the device, or entering a subfolder and returning to the root folder is enough.
- A fragmented file cannot be used.
### A Defragmentation or `DEFRAG` Message Appears
`vhd4.vhd` is not stored contiguously on the disk. Delete and recreate `vhd4.vhd` on the PC, or arrange it so it is stored in a contiguous area. Then unlock with a PIN other than the User 4 PIN and rebuild the root folder list.
---
## 7. Summary
- Place `vhd4.vhd` in the root folder of the first partition.
- After creating `vhd4.vhd`, rebuild the root folder list. Pressing **Key 1**, rebooting the device, or entering a subfolder and returning to the root folder is enough.
- A PIN other than User 4 is used for file management and VHD setting updates.
- A user with disk write protection cannot update the VHD setting.
- The User 4 PIN works as the Duress PIN and is used to show the `vhd4.vhd` disk on the PC in Plausible Deniability Mode.
- A fragmented `vhd4.vhd` cannot be used.