Cannot access my encrypted files on WinXP

[Adam Stockwell]

I am running WinXP Professional(as a standalone
environment) on my laptop and recently I had reason to re-
install the OS. I had backed up my files to a 2nd hard
drive.

I now cannot access the files on the backup drive - error
message - "access denied"

I have since discovered that the backup drive was
formatted as NTFS and my data is encrypted on that drive.

Is there any way I can recover or access this data as it
contains all my work and personaly files.

Adam

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Adam;
It is most likely an Ownership issue and not encryption unless you
specifically encrypted the data.
Are you sure it is not an Ownership issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

If the files are encrypted.
If you did not back-up the encryption key or the Recovery Agent and
are not on a domain, the files are as good as gone.
This must be accomplished while you have access to the files.
If you have not already done so, it is now to late.

If you can restore the original profile (not recreate) you may be able
to recover the data.
Recreating profiles and passwords is irrelevant.
Contact Microsoft if you can restore the profile.
Or:
http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/index.php

EFS is very good at what it does and there is no back door.
Read and understand these links before using EFS to keep from
permanently losing your data:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/administration/recovery/default.asp
(58 pages)
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=223316

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Adam Stockwell" > wrote in message
...
> I am running WinXP Professional(as a standalone
> environment) on my laptop and recently I had reason to re-
> install the OS. I had backed up my files to a 2nd hard
> drive.
>
> I now cannot access the files on the backup drive - error
> message - "access denied"
>
> I have since discovered that the backup drive was
> formatted as NTFS and my data is encrypted on that drive.
>
> Is there any way I can recover or access this data as it
> contains all my work and personaly files.
>
> Adam