folder encryption hangs

[Stat Larry]

I'm running XP Pro 2002 SP2.

I am attempted to get started with use of the encrypting file system, have
read pretty much all of the help/faq materials I can identify as pertinent
for background, etc.

I have both an "administrator" and a typical "user" account on the computer
in question.

My understanding is the starting to use EFS should be quite easy: simply
open Windows Explorer, open "properties" for a folder, move to "advanced",
check the "encrypt" radio button and "ok", "ok". An EFS certificate should
be automatically generated for the user if none is in place already.

With my "administrator" account, I can start in exactly the expected
fashion. However, when I try the same actions described above from my "user"
account, the folder's "properties" window shows an hourglass and this never
stops unless I actually log off or shut down the system. Same result if I
log on as "user" and then go to command line to attempt a "ciper /K" command
- the command line interpreter will simply sit there as if the process is
working, but NEVER returns a command prompt again.

I've searched KnowledgeBase and this discussion newsgroup and have found NO
mention of this problem anywhere.

I expect I'm missing something obvious... Does anyone understand what I'm
overlooking?

Thanks much.