Unable to Backup Server 2003 System State

I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup the
system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000 Desktop
Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.

My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select the
system state for backup it hangs.

I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following error
report:
Backup Status
Operation: Backup
Active backup destination: File
Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"

Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
Timeout before function completed

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete.

----------------------
--

I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
Waiting for responses.
These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.


I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032

Thanks in advance for any help

Regards,
Jason Talbot
Network Administrator

Hello,

can you manualy start the "Volume Shadow Copy" services ?
Any eventlog error about VSS ?

--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
news:1376AD45-350A-4723-9D96-...
>I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup the
> system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000
> Desktop
> Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
>
> My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select
> the
> system state for backup it hangs.
>
> I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following error
> report:
> Backup Status
> Operation: Backup
> Active backup destination: File
> Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
>
> Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
> Timeout before function completed
>
> Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
>
> Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
> Aborting Backup.
>
> ----------------------
>
> The operation did not successfully complete.
>
> ----------------------
> --
>
> I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
> Waiting for responses.
> These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
>
>
> I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
>
> Thanks in advance for any help
>
> Regards,
> Jason Talbot
> Network Administrator
>

Hi

I can't manually start the VSS service, an error 1053 is displayed on screen.

In the system log there are two Information Event IDs 7035 and 7036, there
are no Error Event IDs in the log

--
Regards,
Jason Talbot
Network Administrator



"Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:

> Hello,
>
> can you manualy start the "Volume Shadow Copy" services ?
> Any eventlog error about VSS ?
>
> --
> Cordialement,
> Mathieu CHATEAU
> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>
>
> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
> news:1376AD45-350A-4723-9D96-...
> >I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup the
> > system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000
> > Desktop
> > Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
> >
> > My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select
> > the
> > system state for backup it hangs.
> >
> > I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following error
> > report:
> > Backup Status
> > Operation: Backup
> > Active backup destination: File
> > Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
> >
> > Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
> > Timeout before function completed
> >
> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
> >
> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
> > Aborting Backup.
> >
> > ----------------------
> >
> > The operation did not successfully complete.
> >
> > ----------------------
> > --
> >
> > I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
> > Waiting for responses.
> > These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
> >
> >
> > I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any help
> >
> > Regards,
> > Jason Talbot
> > Network Administrator
> >
>
>

that's the point. Don't go further until it works.

Did it stop working after applying the service pack 2 ?

You may try from http://2brightsparks.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=932:

Go to the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel)
- Double-click the Administrative Tools icon
- Double-click the Services icon
- Scroll down to the item COM+ Event System and double-click the line
- Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
properly, then click OK
- Scroll down to the item COM+ System Application and double-click the line
- Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
properly, then click OK
- Scroll down to the item Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and double-click the
line
- Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
properly, then click OK
- Scroll down to the item System Event Notification and double-click the
line
- Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
properly, then click OK
- Scroll to the item MS Software Shadow Copy Provider and double-click the
line
- Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
properly, then click OK
- Scroll down to the item Volume Shadow Copy and double-click the line
- Change the startup type to Manual or Automatic, click Start to check if it
can start properly, then click OK

others tips on this site may help



--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
news:803E72AC-1146-4FC2-A15E-...
> Hi
>
> I can't manually start the VSS service, an error 1053 is displayed on
> screen.
>
> In the system log there are two Information Event IDs 7035 and 7036, there
> are no Error Event IDs in the log
>
> --
> Regards,
> Jason Talbot
> Network Administrator
>
>
>
> "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> can you manualy start the "Volume Shadow Copy" services ?
>> Any eventlog error about VSS ?
>>
>> --
>> Cordialement,
>> Mathieu CHATEAU
>> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>>
>>
>> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
>> news:1376AD45-350A-4723-9D96-...
>> >I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup
>> >the
>> > system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000
>> > Desktop
>> > Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
>> >
>> > My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select
>> > the
>> > system state for backup it hangs.
>> >
>> > I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following
>> > error
>> > report:
>> > Backup Status
>> > Operation: Backup
>> > Active backup destination: File
>> > Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
>> >
>> > Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
>> > Timeout before function completed
>> >
>> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
>> >
>> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
>> > Aborting Backup.
>> >
>> > ----------------------
>> >
>> > The operation did not successfully complete.
>> >
>> > ----------------------
>> > --
>> >
>> > I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
>> > Waiting for responses.
>> > These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
>> >
>> >
>> > I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
>> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance for any help
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Jason Talbot
>> > Network Administrator
>> >
>>
>>

This problem occurred while I was running SP1 and I was hoping SP2 would fix
this problem.

I've tried starting the services in sequence as per your last post but to no
avail I will try some of the other suggestions on the link you gave me.

Some other things I have noticed is Event ID 5013 in the Application log.

And if I set the VSS service to Automatic; after a reboot it shows started,
but I can still not do a System Backup and vssadmin.exe list writer in run
still shows Waiting for responses. These may be delayed if a shadow copy is
being prepared.

Regards,
Jason Talbot
Network Administrator



"Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:

> that's the point. Don't go further until it works.
>
> Did it stop working after applying the service pack 2 ?
>
> You may try from http://2brightsparks.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=932:
>
> Go to the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel)
> - Double-click the Administrative Tools icon
> - Double-click the Services icon
> - Scroll down to the item COM+ Event System and double-click the line
> - Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
> properly, then click OK
> - Scroll down to the item COM+ System Application and double-click the line
> - Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
> properly, then click OK
> - Scroll down to the item Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and double-click the
> line
> - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
> properly, then click OK
> - Scroll down to the item System Event Notification and double-click the
> line
> - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
> properly, then click OK
> - Scroll to the item MS Software Shadow Copy Provider and double-click the
> line
> - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
> properly, then click OK
> - Scroll down to the item Volume Shadow Copy and double-click the line
> - Change the startup type to Manual or Automatic, click Start to check if it
> can start properly, then click OK
>
> others tips on this site may help
>
>
>
> --
> Cordialement,
> Mathieu CHATEAU
> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>
>
> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
> news:803E72AC-1146-4FC2-A15E-...
> > Hi
> >
> > I can't manually start the VSS service, an error 1053 is displayed on
> > screen.
> >
> > In the system log there are two Information Event IDs 7035 and 7036, there
> > are no Error Event IDs in the log
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Jason Talbot
> > Network Administrator
> >
> >
> >
> > "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
> >
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> can you manualy start the "Volume Shadow Copy" services ?
> >> Any eventlog error about VSS ?
> >>
> >> --
> >> Cordialement,
> >> Mathieu CHATEAU
> >> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
> >>
> >>
> >> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
> >> news:1376AD45-350A-4723-9D96-...
> >> >I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup
> >> >the
> >> > system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000
> >> > Desktop
> >> > Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
> >> >
> >> > My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select
> >> > the
> >> > system state for backup it hangs.
> >> >
> >> > I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following
> >> > error
> >> > report:
> >> > Backup Status
> >> > Operation: Backup
> >> > Active backup destination: File
> >> > Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
> >> >
> >> > Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
> >> > Timeout before function completed
> >> >
> >> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
> >> >
> >> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
> >> > Aborting Backup.
> >> >
> >> > ----------------------
> >> >
> >> > The operation did not successfully complete.
> >> >
> >> > ----------------------
> >> > --
> >> >
> >> > I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
> >> > Waiting for responses.
> >> > These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
> >> >
> >> > Thanks in advance for any help
> >> >
> >> > Regards,
> >> > Jason Talbot
> >> > Network Administrator
> >> >
> >>
> >>
>
>

you should let it to manual.
You would try to start it manually to check for correction.

Until it's fixed, disable VSS on your backup software so it will backup your
system (backup is critical)

a few hints:
sfc /scannow (to check for corrupted file)

and also:
vssadim List Shadows
vssadim List ShadowStorage
vssadim List Volumes
vssadim query reverts


--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
news:7B295C1F-D6EE-40F8-B9FD-...
> This problem occurred while I was running SP1 and I was hoping SP2 would
> fix
> this problem.
>
> I've tried starting the services in sequence as per your last post but to
> no
> avail I will try some of the other suggestions on the link you gave me.
>
> Some other things I have noticed is Event ID 5013 in the Application log.
>
> And if I set the VSS service to Automatic; after a reboot it shows
> started,
> but I can still not do a System Backup and vssadmin.exe list writer in run
> still shows Waiting for responses. These may be delayed if a shadow copy
> is
> being prepared.
>
> Regards,
> Jason Talbot
> Network Administrator
>
>
>
> "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
>
>> that's the point. Don't go further until it works.
>>
>> Did it stop working after applying the service pack 2 ?
>>
>> You may try from http://2brightsparks.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=932:
>>
>> Go to the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel)
>> - Double-click the Administrative Tools icon
>> - Double-click the Services icon
>> - Scroll down to the item COM+ Event System and double-click the line
>> - Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
>> properly, then click OK
>> - Scroll down to the item COM+ System Application and double-click the
>> line
>> - Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
>> properly, then click OK
>> - Scroll down to the item Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and double-click
>> the
>> line
>> - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can
>> start
>> properly, then click OK
>> - Scroll down to the item System Event Notification and double-click the
>> line
>> - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can
>> start
>> properly, then click OK
>> - Scroll to the item MS Software Shadow Copy Provider and double-click
>> the
>> line
>> - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can
>> start
>> properly, then click OK
>> - Scroll down to the item Volume Shadow Copy and double-click the line
>> - Change the startup type to Manual or Automatic, click Start to check if
>> it
>> can start properly, then click OK
>>
>> others tips on this site may help
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cordialement,
>> Mathieu CHATEAU
>> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>>
>>
>> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
>> news:803E72AC-1146-4FC2-A15E-...
>> > Hi
>> >
>> > I can't manually start the VSS service, an error 1053 is displayed on
>> > screen.
>> >
>> > In the system log there are two Information Event IDs 7035 and 7036,
>> > there
>> > are no Error Event IDs in the log
>> >
>> > --
>> > Regards,
>> > Jason Talbot
>> > Network Administrator
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hello,
>> >>
>> >> can you manualy start the "Volume Shadow Copy" services ?
>> >> Any eventlog error about VSS ?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Cordialement,
>> >> Mathieu CHATEAU
>> >> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:1376AD45-350A-4723-9D96-...
>> >> >I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't
>> >> >backup
>> >> >the
>> >> > system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000
>> >> > Desktop
>> >> > Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
>> >> >
>> >> > My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to
>> >> > select
>> >> > the
>> >> > system state for backup it hangs.
>> >> >
>> >> > I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following
>> >> > error
>> >> > report:
>> >> > Backup Status
>> >> > Operation: Backup
>> >> > Active backup destination: File
>> >> > Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
>> >> >
>> >> > Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
>> >> > Timeout before function completed
>> >> >
>> >> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
>> >> >
>> >> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
>> >> > Aborting Backup.
>> >> >
>> >> > ----------------------
>> >> >
>> >> > The operation did not successfully complete.
>> >> >
>> >> > ----------------------
>> >> > --
>> >> >
>> >> > I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
>> >> > Waiting for responses.
>> >> > These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
>> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks in advance for any help
>> >> >
>> >> > Regards,
>> >> > Jason Talbot
>> >> > Network Administrator
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Have come across this before:

The problem is with the VSS writers. For confirmation stop the SQL wsus
service and then do a System State backup.

If it does the backup PM me here.


JOhn

"Jason Talbot" wrote:

> I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup the
> system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000 Desktop
> Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
>
> My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select the
> system state for backup it hangs.
>
> I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following error
> report:
> Backup Status
> Operation: Backup
> Active backup destination: File
> Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
>
> Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
> Timeout before function completed
>
> Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
>
> Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
> Aborting Backup.
>
> ----------------------
>
> The operation did not successfully complete.
>
> ----------------------
> --
>
> I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
> Waiting for responses.
> These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
>
>
> I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
>
> Thanks in advance for any help
>
> Regards,
> Jason Talbot
> Network Administrator
>

We've been having this exact problem too. At least its not just me.
Did you manage to fix the problem? I couldn't even backup a single file,
let alone a system state backup. I'll try some of the fixes mentioned above
and let you know how i get on.
Phil

"Jason Talbot" wrote:

> This problem occurred while I was running SP1 and I was hoping SP2 would fix
> this problem.
>
> I've tried starting the services in sequence as per your last post but to no
> avail I will try some of the other suggestions on the link you gave me.
>
> Some other things I have noticed is Event ID 5013 in the Application log.
>
> And if I set the VSS service to Automatic; after a reboot it shows started,
> but I can still not do a System Backup and vssadmin.exe list writer in run
> still shows Waiting for responses. These may be delayed if a shadow copy is
> being prepared.
>
> Regards,
> Jason Talbot
> Network Administrator
>
>
>
> "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
>
> > that's the point. Don't go further until it works.
> >
> > Did it stop working after applying the service pack 2 ?
> >
> > You may try from http://2brightsparks.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=932:
> >
> > Go to the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel)
> > - Double-click the Administrative Tools icon
> > - Double-click the Services icon
> > - Scroll down to the item COM+ Event System and double-click the line
> > - Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
> > properly, then click OK
> > - Scroll down to the item COM+ System Application and double-click the line
> > - Change the startup type to Manual, click Start to check if it can start
> > properly, then click OK
> > - Scroll down to the item Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and double-click the
> > line
> > - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
> > properly, then click OK
> > - Scroll down to the item System Event Notification and double-click the
> > line
> > - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
> > properly, then click OK
> > - Scroll to the item MS Software Shadow Copy Provider and double-click the
> > line
> > - Change the startup type to Automatic, click Start to check if it can start
> > properly, then click OK
> > - Scroll down to the item Volume Shadow Copy and double-click the line
> > - Change the startup type to Manual or Automatic, click Start to check if it
> > can start properly, then click OK
> >
> > others tips on this site may help
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cordialement,
> > Mathieu CHATEAU
> > http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
> >
> >
> > "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
> > news:803E72AC-1146-4FC2-A15E-...
> > > Hi
> > >
> > > I can't manually start the VSS service, an error 1053 is displayed on
> > > screen.
> > >
> > > In the system log there are two Information Event IDs 7035 and 7036, there
> > > are no Error Event IDs in the log
> > >
> > > --
> > > Regards,
> > > Jason Talbot
> > > Network Administrator
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hello,
> > >>
> > >> can you manualy start the "Volume Shadow Copy" services ?
> > >> Any eventlog error about VSS ?
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Cordialement,
> > >> Mathieu CHATEAU
> > >> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> "Jason Talbot" <> wrote in message
> > >> news:1376AD45-350A-4723-9D96-...
> > >> >I have a Server 2003 AD Domain Controller with SP2 that I can't backup
> > >> >the
> > >> > system state on. This server runs Microsoft Windows SQL Server 2000
> > >> > Desktop
> > >> > Engine (WMSDE) which is part of the install for WSUS.
> > >> >
> > >> > My main backup software is BackupExec 10d and everytime I try to select
> > >> > the
> > >> > system state for backup it hangs.
> > >> >
> > >> > I then tried to use NTBackup and this also fails with the following
> > >> > error
> > >> > report:
> > >> > Backup Status
> > >> > Operation: Backup
> > >> > Active backup destination: File
> > >> > Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/08/2007 at 09:41"
> > >> >
> > >> > Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
> > >> > Timeout before function completed
> > >> >
> > >> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0xffffffff.
> > >> >
> > >> > Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:ffffffff
> > >> > Aborting Backup.
> > >> >
> > >> > ----------------------
> > >> >
> > >> > The operation did not successfully complete.
> > >> >
> > >> > ----------------------
> > >> > --
> > >> >
> > >> > I also ran vssadmin.exe list writers and I get the following:
> > >> > Waiting for responses.
> > >> > These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared.
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > I also tried to register Volume Shadow Copy Service dlls,
> > >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940032
> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks in advance for any help
> > >> >
> > >> > Regards,
> > >> > Jason Talbot
> > >> > Network Administrator
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >

we've been using easeus todo backup advanced server to regularly backup system state.
it offers full, incremental, and differential backup.
we usually set up a daily backup schedule, and save three versions of the image, which means that the software automatically delete the old images.
it works well to us. u can also try it.