Windows 7: certificate

OK
progress update.
I downloaded the x64 trial. I didn't get any patches or updates. Then I restored my own x64 backup with "replace all files" and "to original location".
However, although all my apps have been restored, the old user accounts have not been restored. It logs on only as the admin account I created during the new install. No other user accounts are available. The folders for the user accounts have been restored, though I can't seem to locate the paths you mentioned where the keys are stored. using the Certificates MMC snap in, I can't find the needed certificate, and needless to say it doesn't appear in internet explorer Tools/Options/Content/Certificates

Note also that when I earlier tried 32 bit xp first, after restoring the x64 backup the error I got was that \system32\ntoskrnl.exe was missing, which it was, which made me wonder if all the necessary system files had been backed up.....

This is really a nightmare. But thanks for your advice !!!

LR

Excuse me. I *have* found the paths you mentioned where the public and private keys are stored. After the restore, the folder for that user was not available - poermission denied (for the new admin account) so I checked the backup contents directly and found them there, so then I restored them seperately without keeping the security settings....

But there is still only the new admin user that can log onto it.

I think there's a big time difference between us. Its 1.30AM here now and I'm going to get some sleep. If you have some suggestions or ideas for me to work on in the morning I'd be most grateful, but I won't be replying here for at least 6-7 hours (assuming I can get to sleep !!!!)

Thanks again.

You could try extracting all of the files from the backup using the restore wizard. But instead of restoring to "original location", restore them to an "alternate location".

Then boot from a Windows XP CD or something like UBCD4Win and copy over the files overwriting everything in the new XP install location.

If all goes well you should be able to login using your old account.

Did you do a system state backup?

I'm afraid that my above recommendation might not work if you didn't.

Show me the contents of Windows\System32\Config\ (from the backup)

Hi again

Thanks for those suggestions, but I decided to have the cert revoked and reissued. Swapping HDDs in and out of a laptop every couple of hours for 2 days is not very enjoyable (!!) At least I can move forward with Windows 7 this way ! When I get the new cert I will pay attention to the option of allowing the private key to be backed up.

I'm also quite concerned that I was unable to easily restore what I thought was a full backup. The point is rather mute now since I (hopefully) am rid of XP for good, but I definitely want to avoid any similar problems with Windows 7. I understand the backup utility is much better now and I'll be investigating that in the coming days.

I've been busy most of the day trying to configure windows live mail, eventually I had to remove it from the system - all manner of problems ( which I won't go into) encountered with importing messages from OE5.. Suffice to say that I've removed Windows Live from the system and have managed to get thunderbird up and running quite easily and with all my old (10 years worth) of emails.

Thanks again.
LR

You mean you could have done that all along?

I'm glad you got it sorted out.

Yes, I could have done that from the beginning, but the reason I didn't is that once it is revoked I have no access to the site and I have to wait for the new cert. This delay is a big problem, and that's why I went through hell trying to get the original cert back.

OK, this saga continues.

I have received the new certificate password.

After logging on to the site, it momentarily displays a page which I remember as being the one where the the password text had to be input, along with drop-down box and a message alongside saying to choose the option labelled "Microsoft enhanced cryptographic Provider v1.0", though the drop-down list appears empty. This screen only appears for around a second before being replaced with a screen with the simple message "Please make the correct browser setting first in order to install your certificate" (this is my tranlsation - it's in foreign language)
Unfortunately there is not information on the website about what the "correct" browser settings are !

Any suggestions ?

I have good news. I installed it on an XP machine, exported it, then imported into Windows 7 and now everything seems to work. Phew.

Thanks !