Solved Whole disk encryption for GPT filesystem running 7

[computergeekguy]

If this is not the right spot for this post please move it. Thanks

I have been working on a laptop for work and it has been very hard all the way around.

Objective: Work has asked that I set up whole disk encryption on this laptop.

Here is the story: This laptop originally had windows 8 on it. The laptop is an HP Pavilion 17-e049wm or something like that. Work told us to put Symantec Full Disk Encryption on the laptop. Problem:This product does not support windows 8! We talked to work and they said make it work anyway. :huh:
So I buy and try to install windows 7. $100.... Turned out to be a bigger headache than originally expected. It has the EUFI system so that took different steps than normal. icnic:

I got 7 on and it had no drivers. A call to HP only got my warranty voided. (Thanks HP) All drivers were for windows 8 so what do i do? I install windows 8 drivers and HOPE they work. Some worked some didn't. Eventually I got all drivers working. Now I have pretty windows 7

I begin installing Symantec Full Disk Encryption and it errors out. It cost $100 I eventually got a refund. Turns out it is not compatible with GPT file system. So now work says if I have windows 8 pro I can use bittlocker.

Me:Great you tell me this AFTER i blow windows 8 away and install 7. Well I have no interest to spend another $200 to get back were i started.

Next thing to consider. If I upgrade to 7 ultimate for $100 I can have bitlocker too.
I head to windows anytime upgrade and it says 7 ultimate no longer exists and to go with windows 8.

So now I am shopping for a whole disk encryption software that will work with the GPT partition table so I can ask work if I can use that. I have already wasted enough money can I just use Truecrypt? lol

Thanks for suggestions.

 

[computergeekguy]

Ok I have been doing research on whole disk encryption and i think i like truecrypt but I dont understand it all the way.

Work says things that it must be able to do is
1 Be full disk
2 Have 256 bit encryption
3 Ability to use USB to unincrypt is preferred.
4 Must support GPT file system.
5 They want me to enter a password before it even boots to os.

Things i would like a little more explanation of.

You have encryption algorithms--such as AES--and it consists of 256 bit key 128 bit block and 14 rounds. What does that mean? Is the key the 256 bit encryption or the block? And what is a round?
Also they have hash algorithms.
So there is a little more i need to learn.

Help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[computergeekguy]

Ok here is an update.

Things i have figured out.

They are full disk
They do support GPT filesystem
They do make you enter your password before you even boot via their boot loader.
I can make it so my computer will only boot if i have cd or usb stick (As it puts the boot loader on the cd or usb stick)

I think it is 256 bit but I havent confirmed.

So last thing is IS IT 256 bit encryption.

Once that is confirmed I can continue as I have meet the requirements of work.

 

[computergeekguy]

They do support GPT filesystem

Gee this is annoying!!! It is not supported in 8 and 2000. So is it supported in windows 7?

Where i got my info.

TrueCrypt - Version History - Part 2

V4.3

Support for devices with a GPT partition table (GUID partitions). (Windows Vista/2003/XP)

What about 7????

I tried joining there forum--as they should know about there product--but they wont accept my e-mail address as it is from a free provider.

I need Some help....

 

[computergeekguy]

By the way, TC works fine with Windows 8 if you don't have UEFI BIOS or are using the legacy boot mode. I'm using the full system encryption and some containers, and it works fine.

This is from TrueCrypt Forums :: Windows 8 support - What does it entail in the code?

I am using legacy mode. So my research results in I know nothing and will probably screw up my laptop.

I am getting tired lol spent way to many hours at this. I wonder if there is a cheering squad available for me lol. If I do find a solution to this I would love to help everyone with this problem as all my co-workers are in the same boat as me lol.

Wish me luck

 

[computergeekguy]

Ok i decide to look ONE MORE TIME to make sure that there was no program that supported uefi GPT and found somthing called Bestcrypt.

Link
http://www.jetico.com/products/personal-privacy/bestcrypt-volume-encryption/

It claims that it fully supports UEFI\GPT\Window8.

The price is $100 but it seems to do evrything i need plus it supports 448 bit encryption lol. I will never need nor want 448bit encryption but it is something they offered lol.

I suppose that i will mark this post as solved for the mean time.

Computergeekguy