Truecrypt: restore bootloader

If you have encrypted your hard disk with TrueCrypt and the boot loader is defective, you can restore it. We'll show you how.

Restore TrueCrypt bootloader: what is the situation?

If the TrueCrypt bootloader is defective, the system cannot be started. In the event that the boot loader stops working, TrueCrypt creates a rescue image during encryption. Depending on which of the following four cases you have, follow the corresponding instructions in the next paragraphs.

1. You have the rescue CD.
2. You have the rescue image. But it was not burned to CD.
3. The rescue image is on the encrypted hard drive.
4. Neither the CD nor the image can be found.

1. Restore TrueCrypt Bootloader with Rescue CD

In the best case, you have burned the rescue image to CD directly when the hard disk is encrypted. The boot loader can be easily restored:

1. Insert the CD into your computer and restart it. Then your computer should boot from the CD.
2. If the error is displayed again and the CD does not start, you must first change the boot sequence in the BIOS.
3. Once the CD has started, select the "Repair Options" with the "F8" key. Opt for "Restore TrueCrypt Boot Loader".
4. If you then have problems with the start, you will find further options in the "Repair Options" with which you can bypass the encryption or even remove it completely.

2. Burn the TrueCrypt rescue image to CD

1. If you have the image of the rescue CD, but it has not yet burned, you have to do it now. Then follow the instructions under point 1.
2. If you don't know how this works, or if you don't have a suitable program installed, you can find instructions on how to burn the ISO file with the free CDBurnerXP.

3. Get the TrueCrypt rescue image

If the image is still on your hard drive, you can fetch it from the hard drive with a mobile Linux version and burn it to CD.

1. Download Knoppix and burn the little mobile Linux onto a normal CD.
2. If you don't know how this works, or if you don't have a suitable program installed, you can find instructions on how to burn it here.
3. Insert the burned CD into the computer and restart it. Wait a few minutes for Knoppix to load. If nothing happens, you must first change the boot order in the BIOS.
4. If Knoppix is ​​ready for use, you can use it in a similar way to Windows. Now find the image on your hard drive and copy it to a USB stick or an external hard drive.
5. By default, the image is stored in the path "C: \ Users \ XXX". The entry "XXX" stands for your username. If you have changed the path or if the image does not exist there, you have to continue searching in other locations.
6. Transfer the rescue image to another computer and burn it to CD. Then follow the instructions under point 1.

4. TrueCrypt rescue CD no longer exists

• If the image or the CD cannot be found at all, you cannot restore the boot loader. Only your personal image contains the key that allows access to the system.
• You only have to back up your data and completely reinstall Windows. You can back up your data using a portable Linux version. To do this, follow the instructions under point 3.

We show you how to open encrypted files without the password in the practical tip "Crack password - the best tools".