Odd problem with File Encryption

Summary: Windows denies me access to my own encryped
files, what could have caused it and how do i remedy it
so i can access my files again?? Any help would be
greatly appreciated

I have encryped multiple folders with the built-in
Windows XP pro encryption software (accessible from a
file's properties). Without my knowlege of any changes,
the encryption suddenly stopped allowing me access. I
checked the certificate itself and it has not expired,
and is quoted in the properties for the certificate as
being "OK", it is present in my trusted certificates
folder.
When i attempt to request or renew the certificate with
the same key it states that the certificate has no
private key (yet in properties it says i have a private
key, an odd discrepancy) (I also don't know where
this "private key is or what it is)

When I try to reqest or renew it with a new key it
says "The Wizard cannot be started because it failed to
contact the active directory"

I only have one username on my computer and have not
changed the username, how could i have lost access to my
files????

Steven
Tue Jul 22 20:01:40 CDT 2003

As David stated a password change in Users and Computers would do that,
but you would have received a big warning message first telling you that. If
that is not the case I would suggest running checkdisk on your computer
first. Try using the cipher command to decrypt the files. You can also use
efsinfo to view information about who can decrypt EFS files and view
fingerprint info to compare to certificates. You should always backup your
EFS private key as it can become corrupted. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;223316
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B243026


"Not Important" <ThomasCrown@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:004d01c3506d$fcb12130$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> Summary: Windows denies me access to my own encryped
> files, what could have caused it and how do i remedy it
> so i can access my files again?? Any help would be
> greatly appreciated
>
> I have encryped multiple folders with the built-in
> Windows XP pro encryption software (accessible from a
> file's properties). Without my knowlege of any changes,
> the encryption suddenly stopped allowing me access. I
> checked the certificate itself and it has not expired,
> and is quoted in the properties for the certificate as
> being "OK", it is present in my trusted certificates
> folder.
> When i attempt to request or renew the certificate with
> the same key it states that the certificate has no
> private key (yet in properties it says i have a private
> key, an odd discrepancy) (I also don't know where
> this "private key is or what it is)
>
> When I try to reqest or renew it with a new key it
> says "The Wizard cannot be started because it failed to
> contact the active directory"
>
> I only have one username on my computer and have not
> changed the username, how could i have lost access to my
> files????