Error message when a Windows Vista-based computer resumes from hibernation: "BitLocker Drive Encryption key needed. Please insert key storage media. Then press ESC to reboot."

Consider the following scenario. In Windows Vista, you configure Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption to use a key that is stored on a USB device. You then disconnect the USB device when the computer is in hibernation. In this scenario, you may receive the following error message when the computer resumes from hibernation: When you receive this error message, you must restart the computer.

This issue occurs because the computer’s BIOS must be able to detect the USB device that contains the key when the computer resumes from hibernation. If the computer's BIOS cannot detect the key, you must restart the computer so that the BIOS can detect the key.

To avoid this issue, connect the USB device before you resume the computer from hibernation.