File Encryption/Decryption issues on reinstall

[Verne Arnold]

I encrypted a directory, sub-directory, and files
contained in both on the original install and did not
think to decrypt before I reinstalled the OS.

Originally running XP Pro sp1 with 3 physical IDE hard
drives with only single primary partitions on each disk.

The primary active drive was failing so I copied the
desired files to another drive none of them encrypted or
to an encrypted folder on the new drive. I then
physically removed the dieing drive from the IDE1 Master
position then moved the other drives from Primary slave
to primary master, and secondary master to primary slave.

Installed XP Pro from CD to the now Primary Master drive
leaving the current file system intact.

I am now unable to access the encrypted files that reside
on the drive now at the Primary Slave position (D

Looking at KB Q307877, Q308989, and Q308993 it looks like
the encryption is behaving exactly like it is designed to
and not allowing me any access to the files even after
taking ownership of the entire drive.

Is there any way to access my data or is it a loss?

thank you for your time.

 

[Larry Samuels]

Unless you saved the encryption key or designated another pc user on the
network as a recovery agent the data is lost--encryption would be useless if
it could be easily broken.

--
Larry Samuels MS-MVP (Windows-Shell/User)
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm