Can't open Encrypted file after reformat

[Arcnite]

Hi all, thanks ahead of time for your help.

I was having problems with my windows so, after trial and error I resorted back to the ole-standby of reformat and reinstall. So I reformatted and reinstalled XP on my C drive and left all the data on my other hard drives intact. Unfortunately I had some files encrypted under my old installation of XP, after reformatting I can't open them anymore. What should I do? Is this data lost? Thanks again.

- Mike

Mobo: MSI K8T NEO FIS-2R
CPU: AMD 64FX (2Gig)
OS: Windows XP pro SP2
HD: WD 80GB
HD: WD 180GB SE
Raid: 2xSeagate 80Gig Serial ATAs
RAM: 2x512MB DDR 400

 

[Codesmith]

Yes the data is lost forever. If it didn't work that way encryption would be worthless.

Windows XP encryption create's an encryption key for each user account. Once that account is deleted there is no way to recreate that key.

What you are supposed to do is export the encryption key and put it somewhere safe.