Thread: Encrypted data partition and fresh install

hi,

i'm having data , os partition, running 10.10. want fresh install of 11.04 on os partition , keep data partition. problem can't find key given @ last install encrypted partition , assume fresh install data partition become unreadable.

can do, there way retrieve key through terminal command or so?

help
andreas

i'm not sure kind of encryption you're using use dm-crypt luks , haven't noticed problems accessing data more 1 ubuntu installations. maybe yours set different or special , there's more haven't learned yet.

in case @ least, need make sure remember password.

if you're not sure , want safe, install ubuntu in 8gb or larger usb flash memory stick , install cryptsetup , run 'sudo modprobe dm-crypt' , after test see if can mount encrypted file system , read , write it.
if it's in lvm might want install lvm2 well, i'm not sure if you'll need won't hurt.

it's idea have auxilliary operating system if not in usb stick possibly in other drive, can convenient if ever run problems main installation.

once you're confident you'll able access encrypted files okay (i hope) flash memory installation idea use dd command making backup of @ least first 2 sectors of encrypted data partition since unique , may needed regain access data in circumstances.
like,

code:

sudo dd if=/dev/sda2 of=2011-06-30_luksheader.img count=2

where: /dev/sda2 encrypted data partition, shown results 'sudo fdisk -lu' , 'sudo blkid'.
command save first 2 sectors of encrypted partition , luck you'll never need restore 2 sectors anyway, backup doesn't take room , it's nice know have it. keep in usb auxilliary ubuntu maybe.

way, it's quite alright make auxialliary usb ubuntu installation encrypted 1 too, have couple of usbs , i'm quite happy them. encryption more important usb internal drive.

it's idea make encrypted partition in other hard drive too, making backup of files in first encrypted partition in, in case bad happens hard drive sudden fusion of small electronic part in drive's circuit board or that. things fortunately relatively rare, can , happen occasionally.

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