SBS 2008 Backups fail with VSS error

I have been using the SBS 2008 built in backup service successfully for 8
months.
Recently backups began to fail with the following error:

A Volume Shadow Copy Service operation failed.
Unknown error (0x800423f3)

Exchange update rollup 9 has been installed.

I have attempted a manual backup with the following command:

wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backuptarget:F: -quiet

Which failed with the following error:

Summary of backup:
------------------

Backup of system state failed [12/11/2009 9:49 AM]

Log of files successfully backed up
'C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsServerBackup\SystemStateBa ckup 12-11-2009
09-46-50.log'

Log of files for which backup failed
'C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsServerBackup\SystemStateBa ckup_Error 12-11-2009
09-46-50
..log'

Failure in a Volume Shadow Copy Service operation.

ERROR - Volume Shadow Copy Service operation error (0x800423f3)
The writer experienced a transient error. If the backup process is retried,
the error may not reoccur.

Of most concern is our Exchange data, a manual method of backing this up
while this issue is resolved would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Simon.

Hello Simon,

Thanks for your post.

Based on research and experience on the error messages, I would like to confirm you with the following situations:

1. Besides the Rollup 9 update, have you installed the Service Pack 2 for Exchange server 2007?
2. Have you checked the backup destination disk and make sure there are sufficient free space for the SBS backup? If you are using external USB storage, you may
try another one to test.
3. Have you check the WMI service? Make sure the WMI service is Automatic and Started, e.g. try to run "MSinfo32.exe" program to verify WMI service is running
normally.

Run the following command from command prompt on the SBS server:

cd windows\system32
Net stop vss
Net stop swprv
regsvr32 ole32.dll
regsvr32 vss_ps.dll
Vssvc /Register
regsvr32 /i swprv.dll
regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll
regsvr32 es.dll
regsvr32 stdprov.dll
regsvr32 vssui.dll
regsvr32 msxml.dll
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
regsvr32 msxml4.dll
Net start swprv
Net start vss

Perform a backup operation to verify that the issue is resolved.

After completing the registration, in command prompt type:
vssadmin
list writers

Then please check if there is any errors with listed writers. Also, If there are 3rd party backup and antivirus software installed, like Backup Exec or Norton AV, please
temporarily disable all of them for test purpose.

Hope this helps. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.



Best regards,
Robbin Meng(MSFT)
Microsoft Online Newsgroup Support

================================================== ================
Please post your SBS 2008 related questions to the SBS newsgroup on Connect website:
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================================================== ================
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================================================== ================

Hi Robbin,

Thanks for your reply.
I do not yet have Exchange SP2 installed, I am waiting for the SBS specific
installer to arrive.
WMI is started an set to automatic.

I ran the commands you listed but that did not correct the error. I have
however resolved the problem by following similar instructions which you may
review here:

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/e...0-2f7591cddb9e

I appreciate your efforts to help me with this issue.

Kind Regards,
Simon.


""Robbin Meng [MSFT]"" <v-> wrote in message
news...
>
> Hello Simon,
>
> Thanks for your post.
>
> Based on research and experience on the error messages, I would like to
> confirm you with the following situations:
>
> 1. Besides the Rollup 9 update, have you installed the Service Pack 2 for
> Exchange server 2007?
> 2. Have you checked the backup destination disk and make sure there are
> sufficient free space for the SBS backup? If you are using external USB
> storage, you may
> try another one to test.
> 3. Have you check the WMI service? Make sure the WMI service is Automatic
> and Started, e.g. try to run "MSinfo32.exe" program to verify WMI service
> is running
> normally.
>
> Run the following command from command prompt on the SBS server:
>
> cd windows\system32
> Net stop vss
> Net stop swprv
> regsvr32 ole32.dll
> regsvr32 vss_ps.dll
> Vssvc /Register
> regsvr32 /i swprv.dll
> regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll
> regsvr32 es.dll
> regsvr32 stdprov.dll
> regsvr32 vssui.dll
> regsvr32 msxml.dll
> regsvr32 msxml3.dll
> regsvr32 msxml4.dll
> Net start swprv
> Net start vss
>
> Perform a backup operation to verify that the issue is resolved.
>
> After completing the registration, in command prompt type:
> vssadmin
> list writers
>
> Then please check if there is any errors with listed writers. Also, If
> there are 3rd party backup and antivirus software installed, like Backup
> Exec or Norton AV, please
> temporarily disable all of them for test purpose.
>
> Hope this helps. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, please do
> not hesitate to let me know.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
> Robbin Meng(MSFT)
> Microsoft Online Newsgroup Support
>
> ================================================== ================
> Please post your SBS 2008 related questions to the SBS newsgroup on
> Connect website:
> https://connect.microsoft.com/sbs08/...i/default.aspx
>
> Please post your EBS related questions to the EBS newsgroup on Connect
> website:
> https://connect.microsoft.com/ebs08/...i/default.aspx
>
> If you want to use a newsreader other than a web forum to access these
> newsgroups,
> please refer to the following blog to apply NNTP password and configure a
> newsreader:
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/arch...ewsgroups.aspx
> ================================================== ================
> When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> ================================================== ================
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
> ================================================== ================
>
>
>

Hi Brent,

The link works but it is a partner site, pasting the fix below:

A Volume Shadow Copy Service operation failed.

Unknown error (0x800423f3)



Please correct me if I have any misunderstanding.



Based on my research, this issue occurs when the VSS component was corrupt
or the SBS security settings are not corrupt. I suggest you re-registerthe
DLL files associated with the VSS Engine. To do this:



1. Input cmd in the Search box.

2. Right click cmd and select Run as Administrator.

3. Run the following commands:



net stop "System Event Notification Service"

net stop "Background Intelligent Transfer Service"

net stop "COM+ Event System"

net stop "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider "

net stop "Volume Shadow Copy"

cd /d %windir%\system32

net stop vss

net stop swprv

regsvr32 /s ATL.DLL

regsvr32 /s comsvcs.DLL

regsvr32 /s credui.DLL

regsvr32 /s CRYPTNET.DLL

regsvr32 /s CRYPTUI.DLL

regsvr32 /s dhcpqec.DLL

regsvr32 /s dssenh.DLL

regsvr32 /s eapqec.DLL

regsvr32 /s esscli.DLL

regsvr32 /s FastProx.DLL

regsvr32 /s FirewallAPI.DLL

regsvr32 /s kmsvc.DLL

regsvr32 /s lsmproxy.DLL

regsvr32 /s MSCTF.DLL

regsvr32 /s msi.DLL

regsvr32 /s msxml3.DLL

regsvr32 /s ncprov.DLL

regsvr32 /s ole32.DLL

regsvr32 /s OLEACC.DLL

regsvr32 /s OLEAUT32.DLL

regsvr32 /s PROPSYS.DLL

regsvr32 /s QAgent.DLL

regsvr32 /s qagentrt.DLL

regsvr32 /s QUtil.DLL

regsvr32 /s raschap.DLL

regsvr32 /s RASQEC.DLL

regsvr32 /s rastls.DLL

regsvr32 /s repdrvfs.DLL

regsvr32 /s RPCRT4.DLL

regsvr32 /s rsaenh.DLL

regsvr32 /s SHELL32.DLL

regsvr32 /s shsvcs.DLL

regsvr32 /s swprv.DLL

regsvr32 /s tschannel.DLL

regsvr32 /s USERENV.DLL

regsvr32 /s vss_ps.DLL

regsvr32 /s wbemcons.DLL

regsvr32 /s wbemcore.DLL

regsvr32 /s wbemess.DLL

regsvr32 /s wbemsvc.DLL

regsvr32 /s WINHTTP.DLL

regsvr32 /s WINTRUST.DLL

regsvr32 /s wmiprvsd.DLL

regsvr32 /s wmisvc.DLL

regsvr32 /s wmiutils.DLL

regsvr32 /s wuaueng.DLL

sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\catsrv.DLL

sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\catsrvut.DLL

sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\CLBCatQ.DLL

net start "COM+ Event System"



4. Restart Windows to bring all the VSS writers into a stable state.



Related info:



Troubleshoot VSS issues which occur with Windows Server Backup (WBADMIN)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...90(WS.10).aspx



If the problem persists, please help collect the following information on
SBS 2008:



1. The output of " vssadmin list writers" command

2. MPS Report on SBS 2008



a. Please download MPS Reporting Tool from the following link:

(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en)



I copied the above commands and saved them as a batch file which I then ran
as administrator on SBS.
After running the commands and restarting the problem persitsted so I tried
Robbins suggestions a couple of posts up.
The problem was still there so I ran the batch file again just for the hell
of it, without a restart this time and bingo!

Good luck.

Simon

"hedleys" <> wrote in message
news:69c3897f-534c-43a0-a71e-...
On Nov 16, 3:48 am, "Simon Thomson" <si...@specterra.com.au> wrote:
> Hi Robbin,
>
> Thanks for your reply.
> I do not yet have Exchange SP2 installed, I am waiting for the SBS
> specific
> installer to arrive.
> WMI is started an set to automatic.
>
> I ran the commands you listed but that did not correct the error. I have
> however resolved the problem by following similar instructions which you
> may
> review here:
>
> http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/e...ersbs/thread/3...
>
> I appreciate your efforts to help me with this issue.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Simon.
>
> ""Robbin Meng [MSFT]"" <v-rob...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in
> messagenews l...
>
>
>
> > Hello Simon,
>
> > Thanks for your post.
>
> > Based on research and experience on the error messages, I would like to
> > confirm you with the following situations:
>
> > 1. Besides the Rollup 9 update, have you installed the Service Pack 2
> > for
> > Exchange server 2007?
> > 2. Have you checked the backup destination disk and make sure there are
> > sufficient free space for the SBS backup? If you are using external USB
> > storage, you may
> > try another one to test.
> > 3. Have you check the WMI service? Make sure the WMI service is
> > Automatic
> > and Started, e.g. try to run "MSinfo32.exe" program to verify WMI
> > service
> > is running
> > normally.
>
> > Run the following command from command prompt on the SBS server:
>
> > cd windows\system32
> > Net stop vss
> > Net stop swprv
> > regsvr32 ole32.dll
> > regsvr32 vss_ps.dll
> > Vssvc /Register
> > regsvr32 /i swprv.dll
> > regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll
> > regsvr32 es.dll
> > regsvr32 stdprov.dll
> > regsvr32 vssui.dll
> > regsvr32 msxml.dll
> > regsvr32 msxml3.dll
> > regsvr32 msxml4.dll
> > Net start swprv
> > Net start vss
>
> > Perform a backup operation to verify that the issue is resolved.
>
> > After completing the registration, in command prompt type:
> > vssadmin
> > list writers
>
> > Then please check if there is any errors with listed writers. Also, If
> > there are 3rd party backup and antivirus software installed, like Backup
> > Exec or Norton AV, please
> > temporarily disable all of them for test purpose.
>
> > Hope this helps. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, please do
> > not hesitate to let me know.
>
> > Best regards,
> > Robbin Meng(MSFT)
> > Microsoft Online Newsgroup Support
>
> > ================================================== ================
> > Please post your SBS 2008 related questions to the SBS newsgroup on
> > Connect website:
> >https://connect.microsoft.com/sbs08/...n/richui/defau...
>
> > Please post your EBS related questions to the EBS newsgroup on Connect
> > website:
> >https://connect.microsoft.com/ebs08/...n/richui/defau...
>
> > If you want to use a newsreader other than a web forum to access these
> > newsgroups,
> > please refer to the following blog to apply NNTP password and configure
> > a
> > newsreader:
> >http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/arch...ing-up-for-the...
> > ================================================== ================
> > When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> > that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> > ================================================== ================
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> > rights.
> > ================================================== ================

Hi Simon,

Any chance you could check your link? It may be on a Partner site as
I'm not authorised to view it even when logged in.

I'm keen to see it as I've been going round in circles with a similar
problem for a while now.

Many thanks,

Brent

Hi Simon and Brent,

Thanks for your time writing back with your attentions and solutions.

As you can see in the solution you shared, yes, generally, this error may occur if SBS services like WMI service or the VSS engine is corrupted. I think the registration of DLL
files might take a little time to take effect.

Considering the issue had been resolved, to help other people from our experience, I would like to make a summary here. If you have any further concerns with this issue,
feel free to let me know.


Problem Description:
===================
SBS 2008 Backups fail with VSS error "A Volume Shadow Copy Service operation failed."
Unknown error (0x800423f3)


Cause:
===================
SBS services like WMI service or the VSS engine is corrupted


Resolution:
===================
Restart "System Event Notification Service", "Background Intelligent Transfer Service", "COM+ Event System", "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider ", "Volume
Shadow Copy" services.
Re-register Windows system dll and VSS engine dll files.


Here are some SBS 2008 server articles just for your reference:

Managing Your Windows Small Business Server 2008 Network
<http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc546017.aspx>

Downloadable documentation for Windows Small Business Server 2008
<http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc707659.aspx>

SBS 2008 training links (revised)
http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/arch...s-revised.aspx

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Repair Guide
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...85(WS.10).aspx

Again, thank you for posting in the SBS newsgroups. Please feel free to contact us again in the future.



Best regards,
Robbin Meng(MSFT)
Microsoft Online Newsgroup Support

================================================== ================
Please post your SBS 2008 related questions to the SBS newsgroup on Connect website:
https://connect.microsoft.com/sbs08/...i/default.aspx

Please post your EBS related questions to the EBS newsgroup on Connect website:
https://connect.microsoft.com/ebs08/...i/default.aspx

If you want to use a newsreader other than a web forum to access these newsgroups,
please refer to the following blog to apply NNTP password and configure a newsreader:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/arch...ewsgroups.aspx
================================================== ================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
================================================== ================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
================================================== ================

Hi Simon,

Firstly apologies for not thanking you for your assistance but I didn't get email notification of your post and only stumbled across it when I did full circle in my quest to find a solution and this thread came up again in another Google search!

I tried everything suggested without luck. I've been following advice in a number of forums and things seem to be worse not better. Before I started a reboot generally allowed me to do a SBS back via the console console but now I can't even configure the backup. This will be because vssadmin list writers now reports NO writers. Before they were listed but with errors. I hasten to add this was not caused by following your advice.

Hopefully Robbin will be able to offer further advice.

Kind regards,

Brent

Quick update. Registering the dll's as per this thread seems to have done the trick for me.

Partner Solutions with Stephanie Doakes : Volume Shadow Copy Service and DLLs