Cannot access EFS / DID NOT reformat, delete cert, etc.

[Adam]

I've spend all day researching and trying different
things, but still no success.

I have multiple accounts on a Windows XP PRO machine (1
admin, 1 power user, 1 user). I often switch between the
accounts. About 3 days ago after I logged out, I lost all
access to my encrypted files on a partition.

I didn't delete any certs, reformat, install new software
(other than media 9 a few days ago), or do ANYTHING out of
the ordinary.

The only other odd thing that happened at the same time is
that I lost my 'Quick Launch' toolbar, and attempts to
reactivate it return a 'Cannot create toolbar' error.

I've checked file permissions (they're the same as
before), tried taking control with the admin accounts,
tried unencrypting, etc...nothing.

Please assist.

[Roger Abell [MVP]]

Although it sounds like your profile became (partly?)=20
corrupt, since no on has asked this . . .=20
If the account used for this is the admin account, did=20
you reset its password just befor the problem surfaced ?
If so, reset it back.
That the thumbprint is not the same on a newly encrypted=20
file would seem to indicate that a new EFS cert has been=20
generated for the account. If you do have an export of=20
the earlier, it might be best to unencrypt anything that has=20
been encrypted with the new EFS cert and then remove=20
this from your account before importing the old one.

--=20
Roger=20

"Adam" > wrote in message =
...
> I've spend all day researching and trying different=20
> things, but still no success.
>=20
> I have multiple accounts on a Windows XP PRO machine (1=20
> admin, 1 power user, 1 user). I often switch between the=20
> accounts. About 3 days ago after I logged out, I lost all=20
> access to my encrypted files on a partition.
>=20
> I didn't delete any certs, reformat, install new software=20
> (other than media 9 a few days ago), or do ANYTHING out of=20
> the ordinary.
>=20
> The only other odd thing that happened at the same time is=20
> that I lost my 'Quick Launch' toolbar, and attempts to=20
> reactivate it return a 'Cannot create toolbar' error.
>=20
> I've checked file permissions (they're the same as=20
> before), tried taking control with the admin accounts,=20
> tried unencrypting, etc...nothing.
>=20
> Please assist.