TrueCrypt + Bitlocker Problem Please Help


Recommended Posts

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.

"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.

  • 6 months later...

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..

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??

  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:

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.

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...?

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • BurnAware 18.7 by Razvan Serea Free burning software to create CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs of all types. BurnAware is a full-fledged, easy-to-use burning software which allows users to write all types of files such as digital photos, archives, documents, music and videos to CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, including BDXL and M-Disc. With BurnAware, you also be able to create boot or multisession discs, high-quality Audio CDs and Video DVDs, make and burn ISO images, copy and backup discs, extract audio tracks, verify and recover data from multisession or unreadable discs. BurnAware is available in three editions - Free, Premium and Professional. Compare and pick edition which is suitable for you. Features Burn files and folders to CD, DVD or Blu-ray Discs. Append or update multisession discs. Burn standard or boot disc images. Burn ISO files to multiple recorders simultaneously. Create boot CDs or DVDs. Create Audio CDs. Create DVD-Video discs. Create MP3 CD / DVD / Blu-ray Discs. Make standard or boot disc images. Copy CD, DVD or Blu-ray Discs to ISO images. Copy from discs to discs. Verify discs byte by byte. Recover files from damaged discs or different sessions. Extract audio tracks from Audio CDs. Erase and format re-writable discs. View detailed disc and drive information. Supports All media types (CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc) including Double Layer All current hardware interfaces (IDE/SCSI/USB/1394/SATA) including AHCI UDF/ISO9660/Joliet file systems (any combination) On-the-fly writing (no staging to hard drive first) Verification of written files Multisession DVD-RW/DVD+RW Unicode CD-Text (tracks and disc) Compatible with Windows Vista 7, 8, 10, 11 (32-bit or 64-bit) BurnAware 18.7 changelog: Updated translations. Updated disc burning SDK. Improved indirect disc copying (CD <-> DVD). Optimized overall performance on 64-bit systems. Download: BurnAware Free 18.7 | 11.8 MB (Freeware) View: BurnAware Free Website | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Yeah, as a general rule I prefer standard XBox-like controllers that work like usual out-of-the-box. additional software tends to be overkill. p.s. even my 8BitDo Ultimate 2C wired, while I had to tweak something (setup a udev rule) on Linux for it to work 'out-of-the-box' (which is required for Xinput mode to work in kernels prior to 6.12), I can slightly tweak a small amount of additional buttons/features on the controller itself, no software needed.
    • Are you saying that you don’t think they will be adding the “.” versioning? They definitely will.
    • What will you find out about me?? Are you not going to answer this question as well? Empty threats for just asking questions😂
    • My Alexa Show is just a glorified Alarm clock and weather reporter.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Apprentice
      Adrian Williams went up a rank
      Apprentice
    • Reacting Well
      BashOrgRu earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Collaborator
      CHUNWEI earned a badge
      Collaborator
    • Apprentice
      Cole Multipass went up a rank
      Apprentice
    • Posting Machine
      David Uzondu earned a badge
      Posting Machine
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      535
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      265
    3. 3
      +Edouard
      193
    4. 4
      +FloatingFatMan
      183
    5. 5
      snowy owl
      135
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!