TrueCrypt + Bitlocker Problem Please Help

[jlewitinn]

I already tried the TrueCrypt forums but they dont seem to be that active so hopefully you guys can help...

So here's the deal. I have a 1.5TB external hard drive (with one (1) 1.5TB partition) that was/still is encrypted using Windows Bitlocker. Everything was working great. I wanted to also use TrueCrypt encryption on top of Bitlocker so I attempted to encrypt the same drive/volume with TrueCrypt. Everything was going great for the 36+ plus hours it was taking to encrypt the data, but then at 99.744% TrueCrypt gave an error of "The Media is write protected" and will not continue. Everything I try to do to fix the drive will not work.

I believe the problem is Bitlocker, while I can still unlock the drive it will not let me turn it off and gives me a "The parameter is incorrect" error when I try. As i said, I can unlock the drive, but can view the files.

As a little test I created a new partition on a separate drive of 1GB to try to replicate my findings and the the same thing happened. I turned on Bitlocker and ran the TrueCrypt encryption which errored out at ~32%. I deleted that partition and reset it up, left Bitlocker off and ran the TrueCrypt Encryption and it was successful.

So here is the question, How do I either turn off the Bitlocker so Truecrypt can finish or how do I backtrack the 99.744% that TrueCrypt already finished so I save the data and start from scratch?

I am running Windows 7 x64 if that matters.

If i can provide further details just let me know.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[+BudMan MVC]

"I wanted to also use TrueCrypt encryption on top of Bitlocker"

:blink: WTF???

WIPE it and restore your files from backup, since this is external drive I would assume its your backup so should be no loss.

Where did you get the idea that it would be ok to use 2 whole drive encryption methods? Using a virtual encrypted disk should be fine - but whole drive.. no its pointless for one and second how do you think it would work?

As to backing out - I don't think you can, as to finishing - again I don't think its possible.

You will clearly see on the encryption removal instructions

http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/removing-encryption

Move all files from the TrueCrypt volume to any location outside the TrueCrypt volume (note that the files will be decrypted on the fly).

WARNING: Before you continue, make sure you have selected the correct device, as all files stored on it will be lost. The 'New Partition Wizard' or 'New Simple Volume Wizard' window should appear now; follow its instructions to create a new partition on the device. After the partition is created, it will no longer be required to mount the device with TrueCrypt to be able to save or load files to/from the device.

[kizuran]

Ah, +BudMan. You ninja'd me & took the words from my lips. :rofl:

[LiquidSolstice]

No offense, but BudMan is absolutely right.

Bitlocker or TrueCrypt, please just pick one :(

[JRichard]

I badly need help. I've had a look around the internet for a while now trying to find a solution.

I recently encrypted my 1 TB Seagate HDD with BitLocker but it didn't work on XP so i removed the password and started encrypting it with TrueCrypt.

And at 62.318% it says "The media is write protected" =(

It has very important files on it which i don't want to lose... if there's ANY way to finish ecrypting and/or cancel TrueCrypt so i can access my files again, it would be much apprieciated. also, i did not make a backup of my files which i know was very stupid and foolish of me now..

[+BudMan MVC]

So bitlocker will work on XP for read with the bitlocker reader.

But let me get this right, you started encryption of a disk that had your only copy of critical files on it??

C'mon Dude! Really??? Sorry but I would have to assume your just dicked - just start over and restore you files from your backup. What you don't have a backup of your important files you don't want to loose??

[JRichard]

  On 05/10/2011 at 14:00, BudMan said:

So bitlocker will work on XP for read with the bitlocker reader.

But let me get this right, you started encryption of a disk that had your only copy of critical files on it??

C'mon Dude! Really??? Sorry but I would have to assume your just dicked - just start over and restore you files from your backup. What you don't have a backup of your important files you don't want to loose??

Bitlocker Reader didn't work for XP (i couldn't install it)

and i didn't back it up because i didn't have any space to back it up, because i didn't think about anything like this happening.... i guess i've lost my stuff? :cry:

[+BudMan MVC]

Well what did you download exactly?

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=24303

There is different downloads for XP or vista, and then again different downloads for x64 or x86

Wish I could help, but I would have to say lesson learned, I would never do on the fly encryption of a file system or other aspects of a file system like moving partitions etc where there is critical files without a backup of the files.

Takes a few minutes to create a backup. If your in a situation where you don't have space, you need to correct that!! You should ALWAYS have a backup of your critical files.

[JRichard]

I downloaded KB970401-x86.exe, and the plan was to run it on my home pc (which runs on Win7), so i could use my HDD at my course... but it didn't work so, that's when i removed the pw for Bitlocker and tried to install TrueCrypt.

so.. are my files lost forever...?

[JRichard]

It seem's i have found the problem.

There is some files inside my external HDD which are write-protected.

@BudMan would you happen to know how to enable writing on all of my files on my HDD? (i can't access it the files i can only edit the external)

[+BudMan MVC]

I doubt you found write protected files.

Why do you think they are write protected??

[JRichard]

Ended up just formatting it :cry:. No offence intented but you are no help at all, you couldn't just have answered with a yes or no answer? (if yes obviously tell me how).

Anyway, thanks for trying at least. Goodbye.

[+BudMan MVC]

yup thats what I do around no help at all ;)

Still wonder why you thought you had write protected files.