Decryption

[Guest]

Hi,
After reinstalling Windows XP (SP1 +2) I can not longer read my encrypted
data (word, excel, powerpoint). I get "access denied" on all files. Some of
the files is backed up without encryption, no problem with those, but I have
some files that I did not back-up. Even as "administrator" I can not uncheck
the box "encrypt content to secure data", get "acces denied" on those. Any
smart ideas of how to resolve this?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If you encrypted the data and do not have the necessary ORIGINAL keys, the
data is for all practical purposes gone for good.
If you can recover the ORIGINAL keys, you may be able to recover the data.

See if Step 1 on this link applies:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/encrypt.htm

Also see the links near the bottom of the page to help protect data and
prevent permanent loss of encrypted data.

 

[Guest]

Dear Carey

I have tried that without success. I had a longer chat with HP Support as
well, no success. The problem is that when I reinstalled XP, i did ha another
username, and I guess that the encryption looks at usernames? So I have to
find a way of going back irrespective of username.

Lars

 

[Guest]

Hi,

Since I reinstalled XP with another username (similar, but still different;
full name versus a short name), I guess that the ORIGINAL keys is calculated
based on that??

Regards

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Using the same user name and password will not help.
If that was all that was required, encryption would be easily broken.
Without the original key, your data is as good as gone since the key can not
be recreated at all.
There is no way of going back without the key.

 

[Guest]

Hi

So where did the original key go then, when reinstalling XP? Should not old
data be kept as they are when upgrading/reinstalling?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The original key is with the original installation.
If the original installation of Windows is gone and irretrievable, the key
is gone as well.
Old data is kept only if you deliberately kept it.

 

[Guest]

I did save all data deliberately. All personal datafiles are there -
encrypted, unfortunately. So in which folder is the old key stored? Can it be
used by moving it to another folder? All my old programs are still installed
but not working, I have to reinstall the programs as well, maybe I can do the
same with the key?

Regards

 

[Guest]

I am having a similar problem. Although all my permissions are there
(Computer, users etc) but Im getting an error saying "An error occurred
applying attributes to the file: (then its lists the file patch)"

I dont think its a security issue as it is more of somekind of file problem?

 

[Guest]

hi.i hvae the same problem and i had asked alot of Expert ppl but no one can
help me so please is there anybody who had fixed the prblem before to help
us??