One of my True Crypt partitions failed to mount after a recent system crash. I entered the right password and received the message “Incorrect password or not a True Crypt volume”. I knew the password was correct which only left the option that it was not recognized as a True Crypt volume anymore.
The drive itself showed up fine in Windows Explorer and Disk Management. I started with advanced troubleshooting programs like Test Disk trying to figure out what was wrong. It was later that I discovered that these advanced troubleshooting programs were not needed for the problem that I was experiencing.
It was clear that the headers where somehow corrupted. True Crypt offers so called mount options and one of these mount options is to use embedded backup headers if they are still available in the encrypted volume. Now this might not work in all cases as these can also become corrupted but it did work in my case.
I selected “use backup header embedded in volume if available” that are an option in the Mount Options in True Crypt’s password field and entered the password of the True Crypt partition again. This fixed the problem that the True Crypt volume was not recognized and the encrypted partition mounted as normal on the system.
To avoid header problems with True Crypt volumes it is suggested to backup the volume headers so that they can be restored in case of corruption. This can be done by selecting the True crypt partition under Select Device, then Volume Tools from the main True Crypt window and finally Backup Volume Header.
I guess I was lucky that I was able to restore the header without the backup. The first thing I did was to create a backup header for all of my True Crypt partitions for additional restoration options in case of an emergency.
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So, does your resolution mean that TrueCrypt stores a backup copy of the header within the volume itself? If so, that’s good, since the external backup would be a third copy of the header. One of my main worries about TrueCrypt is being stranded with a corrupted container file, and losing everything.
I have not investigated this further, True Crypt either tries to find header information that are part of the initialization or it stores backup headers somewhere that can be used to recover a true crypt volume in case of emergency. I would still advise to create a header backup.
I created a brand new 200gb NTFS volume. I then tried mounting for the first time. I get the same error. I did not use a key when creating it.. (Its a temporary backup of my files on someone elses disk).
Any Ideas?
I am a new user and have had this problem intermittently with some fright. I cannot speak to the header issue as I do not understand it. What I do find is that I sometimes go in and get this error, repeatedly. I keep trying to paste in my password and have not discovered what exactly leads it to work after multiple attempts. For example, this morning after half a dozen tries I attempted to append the pasted password with a space and that let me in. I just don’t understand it yet.
man, u saved my sorry ass. I was going insane…
Hello,
I created a container file with a key in a USB external hd.
Everything was fine until I changed the name of my file container. Since then I can not mount. It shows an error message “Incorrect Password Or Not A True Crypt Volume” I put back the original name and get the same error message
I did not create any backup head,
I selected “use backup header embedded in volume if available”
I do not think there was any problem, simply renaming the file and now I’m going crazy because of the importance of the documents
Can anyone help please?
I use Truecrypt 7 and Windows XP
Well renaming the container is not the cause of your problem. The container is either damaged or your are supplying the wrong password.
I tryed with other file container rename his and i have not any problems, but in this case in the moment when I rename the file container I can’t mount the file container.
The passord are correct
Can you help me?
I cannot unfortunately. You could try and post your support request on the official forum.
Ok, thanks! :_(
I am using MacBook Pro, TrueCrypt on Mac does not give me mount options.
It seems the TrueCrypt volume (container) is deleted my someone using my PC. My password is OK. Is there are way to locate the TrueCrypt container (maybe someone changed the name or deleted it).
I am lost completely !!! Please help
Maybe someone knows a delicate procedure how to extract the files inside a corrupted volume.
My password is very much correct but an unprecedented event caused my volume corrupted. i used gparted to partition my 500GB external and gparted damn hang and stop working for almost a day. force to stop/kill it, since its doesn’t do its job. and then now i notice the volume cant open the same problems above stated..i try above procedure but no luck..althought above procedure is only available for windows truecrypt version..i try it in windows and now its doesn’t work..My files good bye..huhuhuh
You are amazing — I thought I had lost my FDE volume (2nd HD), until I saw this trick…it worked perfectly. While I do have a backup of everything, it’s a PITA + those are at home (and I’m at work).
Any-who, just wanted to say “Thank You” for your help.
-JT