"Consultant" <consultant_mcngp******.com> wrote in message
news:uKDLbhLnHHA.4120@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Out of nowhere, i can no longer access the files in my encrypted folder on
> my standalone vista ultimate laptop. nothin has changed as far as password
> or folder owner. when i try to open any of the files, i get a windows
> security popup that says "you are encrypting a file or trying to access an
> encrypted file using a smart card. enter your smart card pin" "insert a
> smart card". ive never even used one on this system. any thoughts on this?[/color]


Are you sure that you are using the same user account in which you encrypted
that folder?

Check that Vista hasn't made a new user account for you due to corruption in
C:\Users.

Have you backed up your EFS key somewhere?

ss.