Encrypt/Decrypt SQL Server 2005 data files

We are trying to encrypt/decrypt a SQL Server 2005 database file.
It is my understanding that you can encrypt the main database, but not its log file. The database file was successfully encrypted, but SQL Server failed to decrypt it on opening after a many minutes delay. The database was subsequently decrypted with a manual command, but the database had been damaged and couldn't be re-opened. It had to be deleted and restored.
It appears that there is no practical way to use an encrypted SQL database because of apparent glitches and the extremely slow decryption process.
We have considered backing up the database, encrypting the backup copy, deleting the database from the SQL directory on shutdown and then restoring it on startup. Another alternative is to store the data on removable media.
I would greatly appreciate a suggestion as to how to best protect the data. We use SecuriKey to protect OS system startup. This works, but it doesn't protect the data if, for example, the hard drive is moved to another computer.
I have read the following article:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/05/06/SQLServerSecurity/default.aspx

Thank you very much.

Robert Robinson
.

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