Hi,

I've got a newly built Windows Server 2012 R2 box out in the field. We're using a 3rd party backup solution (Arcserve Backup Manager) which leverages VSS to take a snapshot during the first phase of the backup. We've seen an issue with this effectively right from the start. During the first full backup, Backup Manager would get stuck on "Taking snapshot". I reached out to N-Able, and they gave me a few things to try which included restarting the Volume Shadow Copy service (which wouldn't stop) and running the command "vssadmin list writers" - which wouldn't display a result - to check for writer errors. After a reboot, the command line displayed the list of VSS writers - all of which had no errors - and the first full backup completed successfully.
When the second backup/first incremental backup started, it displayed the same symptoms again; I couldn't list VSS writers, and the backup was getting stuck at "Taking Snapshot". After another reboot, the backup completed successfully again.

We're at the point now where it seems to be a Microsoft issue, more than an Arcserve issue. I added the Windows Server Backup feature (before the first full backup) to try and secure a backup at least, but that's never worked. I've now been advised to remove the Windows Server Backup feature in case there's a possible conflict, but for some reason it's now greyed-out and I can't remove it.

Obviously it's not viable to reboot the server every day for the sake of securing a backup. Has anybody seen this type of behavior from VSS, and perhaps have a solution or workaround for me please?

I appreciate your help

dear sir, 

i have take back up in server 2012r2 on the same server D:\ driver.  i take testing backup six time and i wand to delete one by one back with use the wbadmin cmd..... but not backup delete on the d:\ driver.... i written this cmd . and guide me whats wrong with me....

C:\administrator>wbadmin delete systemstatebackup -version:6/3/2016-11:59 -keepversions:1 -backuptarget:D:

But there is no any delete backup

what is the rite "statement"

plese send also me reply on my email address

rehanhabib@yahoo.com

Hello,

I would like to solve our issue which bothers us for a few months now. We have advanced server infrastructure. These issues happens on completely different configurations/ brands of servers. One is HP microsver GEN8 with Samsung 840 pro as system disk and 4x raid 10 with WD raptor, b120i controller, which is used as domain controller. The other one is HP ML10v2 with Samsung 850 evo SSD disk B120i controller, and the last one is IBM x3650 m2 with 8x 15Krpm sas drives and MR10i MEGARAID controller, these both servers are in WORKGROUP, out of domain.

All servers are backed up via DPM server, which is running virtualized on third X3650 M2. DPM virtual server, nor hyperv X3650 server (and another 6 virtual servers) HAVE NO PROBLEMS AT ALL with backup. Also we backup via vssadmin script running early in the morning on WDmycloud device.

The issue is simple - vss is going to hang. It happens in one day or 2-4 days sporadically. First We can detect it via DPM system center not able to create recovery points. Then I open cmd "vssadmin list providers" and it correctly lists providers Immediately after I run vssadmin list volumes and service hangs forever at :

C:\Windows\system32>vssadmin list providers
vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool
(C) Copyright 2001-2013 Microsoft Corp.

Then if I try to open: windows server backup, Shadow volume configuration (after opening error 0x80080005: server execution failed), dpm backups, vssadmin just wont work.

I tried following:

restart VSS - service will hang at stopping state. After force closing service via "taskkill /f /pid"  it will automatically restart, but still not working

restart VSS and associated services with reregistering writers via this script - http://serverfault.com/questions/435319/server-2008-sp1-vss-writers-not-responding - wont work - VSS service will not stop, nor swprv (microsoft software shadow copy provider) - cannot stop service

force killing swprv service with taskill - first I find service with sc queryex swprvm then taskkill /f /pid. THen  taskkil reports -  There is no running instance of the task.

Tried tips in this thread - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/f7bef308-6e84-485e-ac19-6231e2f89e08/windows-server-2008-r2-vss-errors?forum=windowsbackup - not working. Disabling SQL writer wont help.

Also tried list writers with DISKSHADOW - it hangs same way

The only solution which helps is - reboot the server. But I don't think its solution. I cannot reboot servers during work hours.

After reboot, vssadmin list providers / volumes / shadows works flawlessly until next hang.

Any solutions ?

Kamil Ondrus

When trying to backup Windows Server 2012 using built-in Windows Server Backup tool I get the following error:

The backup operation that started at '‎XXX....' has failed with following error code '0x80780179' (An error occured while writing to the backup target.). Please review the event details for a solution, and then rerun the backup operation once the issue is resolved.

The event details I looked at doesn't provide any help other than the ErrorMessage=%%2155348345

I searched everywhere but the solution eludes me. 

Can someone please help me resolve this?

Thanks

Hi All,

I want to register myself to get the custom support updates for Windows Server 2003 from Microsoft. I see already my senior colleague has registered for the program long back and he is receiving monthly updates. But he is not sure how to set that for me as we are unable to find any programs on the website. Please anyone let me know how to register to get the monthly updates.

Thanks 

Girish

Hi,

I am backing up a server through DPM 2012 R2 UR9.

The problem Im having is that one drive is failing on a server that is protected.

When I start the backup it doesnt transfer any data. I´ve run "vssadmin list writers" on the server and nothing is abnormal. There is also enough free space for shadow copies to be created.

I have also restarted the server and the Cryptographic Services.

While backing up the F: drive on the server I get the following error in DPM,

"The VSS application writer or the VSS provider is in a bad state. Either it was already in a bad state or it entered a bad state during the current operation. (ID 30111 Details: VssError:The specified object was not found. (0x80042308))"

"Please check that the Event Service, the VSS service and the shadow copy provider service is running, and check for errors associated with these services in the Application Event Log on the server SERVERNAME. Please allow 10 minutes for VSS to repair itself and then retry the operation."

When I am checking in eventviewer for VSS error I find the following,

"Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error calling routine GetVolumeNameForVolumeMountPoint is now failing on the volume, winerror 0x00000001. .  hr = 0x80070001, Incorrect function."

and

"Volume Shadow Copy Service error: The shadow copy could not be committed - operation timed out. Error context: DeviceIoControl(\\?\Volume{cadf72ad-6468-42af-8ba5-04f2755f7435} - 0000000000000244,0x0053c010,0000008806E9B160,0,0000008806E9C170,4096,[0]). 

Operation: 

Committing shadow copies

Context:  

Execution Context: System Provider"

Any ideas? :-)

Regards,

James 

Hi I have a three windows 2012 R2 servers with windows clustering installed and set up as a SQL availability group.

When I try a backup (Backup exec 2014) it fails with VMware error "An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine". When I run vssadm list writers I see "These may be delayed if a shadow copy is being prepared".

These are cluster errors in the event log for "The cluster Resource Hosting Subsystem (RHS) process was terminated and will be restarted"

Now if I stop the cluster service and try a backup it completes and vssadmin list writers returns the expected results.

I want to run the backup without having to stop the cluster service.

Thanks

We have a problem with a newly installed server. We installed 4 servers with Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. On the DC I attached a USB disk. The disk is a share so the other 3 servers are also able to back-up to the disk. Then I created a back-up task on all servers to do a bare metal back-up to the share.

When I run the back-up on the servers by hand it is working properly. When I schedule the back-ups most of the time it is not working. I get the following errors.

The description for Event ID 19 from source Microsoft-Windows-Backup cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event:

2147942455
9-6-2016 02:00:17
\\<hostnameDC>\backup_APP01
4
\\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolume2\ C: D: \\?\Volume{b7334218-1425-45b9-96e5-b1c69659d739}\
%%2147942455

The locale specific resource for the desired message is not present

I tried some things:

• Recreate task
• reboot server
• installed windows updates
• created a partition per virtual

The backup of the DC is working. It is the only server that is working properly.

Hello,

All of the sudden I noticed that the Windows Backup GUI was missing. When I try to open it, first the icon is missing and second, nothing happens. 
So then I went into Manage --> Remove Roles and Features and noticed that it's not listed there. So I went to add and it wasn't listed there either., Also seems like a lot of roles are missing from the Add Roles screen

I did some googling and said that Network Load Balancing needs to be installed for Windows Backup to show up. But that's not listed there either. 

I went into Powershell and typed Get-WindowsFeatures and it's listed there, a lot of the features are there including NLB and Backup and said Installed. I ran the command to uninstall it, then reinstalled and nothing, same thing. 

Any help is appreciated. I don't understand why so many features all of the sudden don't show up in the Add Roles screen.

I have found fixes for Server 2008 and 2008 R2 but have yet to find a resolution 
for Server 2012 R2.  I have worked with EMC to try a resolve with no
luck.  The issue is the e:\ volume is on the other node in the cluster but
is looking at this path due to a SAP service that installed to this
cluster volume location on this node "e:\usr\sap\trn\ascs01\exe\sapstartsrv.exe".  
Below is the VSS event id, vssadmin list writers, and diskshadow output for
further information.

________________________________________

Event Id 8193, VSS -- I am receiving at every backup attempt:

Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error calling
routine GetVolumePathName is fail on the path e:\usr\sap\trn\ascs01\exe,
winerror 0x00000002.. hr = 0x80070002, The system cannot find the file
specified.

Operation:

PrepareForSnapshot Event

Context:

Execution Context: Writer

Writer Class Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}<o:p></o:p>

Writer Name: System Writer

Writer Instance ID:
{b37cf597-c4a9-46ec-a4f1-f834daf9295c}

______________________________________________

Output for vssadmin list writers

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]

(c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>vssadmin list writers

vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool

(C) Copyright 2001-2013 Microsoft Corp.

Writer name: 'Task Scheduler Writer'

   Writer Id: {d61d61c8-d73a-4eee-8cdd-f6f9786b7124}

   Writer Instance Id: {1bddd48e-5052-49db-9b07-b96f96727e6b}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'VSS Metadata Store Writer'

   Writer Id: {75dfb225-e2e4-4d39-9ac9-ffaff65ddf06}

   Writer Instance Id: {088e7a7d-09a8-4cc6-a609-ad90e75ddc93}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Performance Counters Writer'

   Writer Id: {0bada1de-01a9-4625-8278-69e735f39dd2}

   Writer Instance Id: {f0086dda-9efc-47c5-8eb6-a944c3d09381}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'System Writer'

   Writer Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}

   Writer Instance Id: {51014fc6-79fc-4719-a47e-890c12eae4af}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Cluster Shared Volume VSS Writer'

   Writer Id: {1072ae1c-e5a7-4ea1-9e4a-6f7964656570}

   Writer Instance Id: {ca77048d-6a55-429d-8156-cd20cd480286}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'SqlServerWriter'

   Writer Id: {a65faa63-5ea8-4ebc-9dbd-a0c4db26912a}

   Writer Instance Id: {02ce344c-fee1-471e-add1-80fc0f0eab1c}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'ASR Writer'

   Writer Id: {be000cbe-11fe-4426-9c58-531aa6355fc4}

   Writer Instance Id: {7470832b-d895-43e1-bb24-4ba2411fa7bf}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Registry Writer'

   Writer Id: {afbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485}

   Writer Instance Id: {0591d297-755a-426e-83de-20dbc24d4a8a}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Shadow Copy Optimization Writer'

   Writer Id: {4dc3bdd4-ab48-4d07-adb0-3bee2926fd7f}

   Writer Instance Id: {a163cc77-d300-4089-a5fb-2a45c33deb14}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Cluster Database'

   Writer Id: {41e12264-35d8-479b-8e5c-9b23d1dad37e}

   Writer Instance Id: {a717560f-50db-4771-99bc-03a68aa01f5d}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'COM+ REGDB Writer'

   Writer Id: {542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f}

   Writer Instance Id: {6a4a6d8b-4b54-4904-8bf9-9433120b1aad}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'WMI Writer'

   Writer Id: {a6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0}

   Writer Instance Id: {2ff1dddd-8586-43f0-a824-e4025d538a3f}

   State: [1] Stable

   Last error: No error

______________________________________________

Output for diskshadow

C:\Windows\system32>diskshadow

Microsoft DiskShadow version 1.0

Copyright (C) 2013 Microsoft Corporation

On computer:  AOTRNCL01,  9/11/2015 8:08:51 AM

DISKSHADOW> add volume c:

DISKSHADOW> create

COM call
"lvssObject4->GetRootAndLogicalPrefixPaths" failed.

Alias VSS_SHADOW_1 for shadow ID {a817c807-f00b-496b-b799-06a15a6f9e0f} set as
e

nvironment variable.

Alias VSS_SHADOW_SET for shadow set ID {e9ce9d2b-97d0-4415-ae49-2ec7b5b3c87d}
se

t as environment variable.

Querying all shadow copies with the shadow copy set ID
{e9ce9d2b-97d0-4415-ae49-

2ec7b5b3c87d}

        * Shadow copy
ID = {a817c807-f00b-496b-b799-06a15a6f9e0f}

%VSS_SHADOW_1%

               
- Shadow copy set: {e9ce9d2b-97d0-4415-ae49-2ec7b5b3c87d}

%VSS_SHADOW_SET%

               
- Original count of shadow copies = 1

               
- Original volume name: \\?\Volume{bcb4e1e6-f8a3-11e4-80bf-806e6

f6e6963}\ [C:\]

               
- Creation time: 9/11/2015 8:09:38 AM

               
- Shadow copy device name: \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeS

hadowCopy1

               
- Originating machine: AOTRNCL01.waterone.org

               
- Service machine: AOTRNCL01.waterone.org

               
- Not exposed

               
- Provider ID: {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}

               
- Attributes:  Auto_Release Differential

Number of shadow copies listed: 1

Hi,

I have a 2 cluster node environment, Windows server 2012 Standard installed. Backup solution used is EMC Networker.

The problem that I'm facing is that when we try to backup the passive node, The backup fails due to the fact that it searches for a volume path that is active/online on the active node j:\usr\sap\kp1\ascs11\exe.

Event Id 8193, VSS -- I am receiving at every backup attempt:

Log Name:      Application
Source:        VSS
Date:          09.06.2016 21:53:28
Event ID:      8193
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      ATVIESWSAPCTA.post.sapdom.at
Description:
Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error calling routine GetVolumePathName is fail on the path j:\usr\sap\kp1\ascs11\exe, winerror 0x00000002..  hr = 0x80070002, The system cannot find the file specified.
. 

Operation:
   PrepareForSnapshot Event

Context:
   Execution Context: Writer
   Writer Class Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
   Writer Name: System Writer
   Writer Instance ID: {b1a7e0b9-5790-4f11-848e-7c80c7e90d96}

Output of the VSS Writers:

vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool
(C) Copyright 2001-2012 Microsoft Corp.

Writer name: 'Task Scheduler Writer'
   Writer Id: {d61d61c8-d73a-4eee-8cdd-f6f9786b7124}
   Writer Instance Id: {1bddd48e-5052-49db-9b07-b96f96727e6b}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'VSS Metadata Store Writer'
   Writer Id: {75dfb225-e2e4-4d39-9ac9-ffaff65ddf06}
   Writer Instance Id: {088e7a7d-09a8-4cc6-a609-ad90e75ddc93}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Performance Counters Writer'
   Writer Id: {0bada1de-01a9-4625-8278-69e735f39dd2}
   Writer Instance Id: {f0086dda-9efc-47c5-8eb6-a944c3d09381}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'System Writer'
   Writer Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
   Writer Instance Id: {7c84bfb1-9f29-4e64-9269-642d030e3968}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Cluster Shared Volume VSS Writer'
   Writer Id: {1072ae1c-e5a7-4ea1-9e4a-6f7964656570}
   Writer Instance Id: {1f5a87ec-482d-4b64-b32d-d4ab7dbd0bef}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'ASR Writer'
   Writer Id: {be000cbe-11fe-4426-9c58-531aa6355fc4}
   Writer Instance Id: {2ca5cc73-ed8e-4ee0-a1a6-4f459c3cd32c}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Registry Writer'
   Writer Id: {afbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485}
   Writer Instance Id: {19839fee-6306-44d4-a2b1-c3599d76edf4}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Shadow Copy Optimization Writer'
   Writer Id: {4dc3bdd4-ab48-4d07-adb0-3bee2926fd7f}
   Writer Instance Id: {f96446c5-5a6a-429a-a7bb-c55d23e9e4ce}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'COM+ REGDB Writer'
   Writer Id: {542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f}
   Writer Instance Id: {2283eaef-e547-4ab0-88cf-1c179f56634b}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'WMI Writer'
   Writer Id: {a6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0}
   Writer Instance Id: {a27147d3-69e8-4966-b8da-28e405572cc8}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Cluster Database'
   Writer Id: {41e12264-35d8-479b-8e5c-9b23d1dad37e}
   Writer Instance Id: {787b1258-c1bd-4b49-8033-5cb487d8a954}
   State: [1] Stable
   Last error: No error

I have just downloaded the current MARS agent onto a 2012R2 server, which is a DC. When I open Windows Server Backup the local backup option gives me the ability to backup system state. However the Azure options doesn't, it just has the drives.

Is there any way I can use azure backup to backup the active directory info e.g. via system state?

Or do I have to do a 2 stage operation, i.e. backup system state locally, and then back that up to azure?

regards

Roga

Hello All,

I've been facing issues with running "System State Backup" as the "WMI Writer" is currently in failed and not coming up even after system restart.

Could you please suggest how to overcome this situation ?

Writer name: 'WMI Writer'
   Writer Id: {a6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0}
   Writer Instance Id: {bc79dde2-ad3e-449b-acbb-4a591ca50ec9}
   State: [9] Failed
   Last error: Retryable error

windows backup cannot identify vms and found this error.

Task failed Error: Writer document does not contain information about VM with ID 'aef0610a-5f93-449f-a61b-f3f15f944b20'. 

All,

I have a Server 2012 R2 forest with an empty root and two child domains. Everything is Server 2012 R2 end-to-end. I've installed Windows Server Backup on a DC in each domain. I've created separate gMSAs in each domain, added them to Domain Admins in their respective domains, and installed them on each of the three DCs to be backed up. I created a share on a server in one of the child domains and gave Domain Admins from each domain full control at the share and security ACL levels.

I'm creating scheduled tasks to run as gMSAs and they run powershell.exe with the arguments of "wbadmin.exe start systemstatebackup -backupTarget:\\server.contoso.com\backup -quiet"

Backups on each of the child domains work fine. However, the backup on the root DC is failing with "Error Value: 2147943785" when running as the gMSA. If I switch the user running to use my domain admin account, it runs without issue.

I've added the gMSA to the local domain admins, backup operators, administrators, even schema and enterprise admins, but nothing works. I've deleted and re-created the gMSA with different names and different principals allowed to recover the managed password.

I understand that the error value indicates the account doesn't have rights to run as a batch job, but all of the groups in which it's a member do have that right, and I've added the account explicitly to the run as a batch job list, but it still fails.

Any ideas? Is there a reason a gMSA from a parent domain couldn't talk to a child domain? The trusts are built transitive and there are no issues with communications between the two child domains.

This is a test domain, and I'd hate to burn hours to call support. Hope someone can help.

Ron Arestia, MCSA (Server 2012)

Hi,

I have been struggling with this for months now.  I get Event ID 24 with this error before every backup. I can't find any reason for it.  I have WSB running on Server 2012 R2 with hyper-v only, backing up 2 VMs to 2 locally attached USB drives, which are swapped out weekly.

Backup started a fresh backup for volume '{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}' ('Esp') :
 [Reason: 'Volume size changed']. This may cause loss of older backup versions when backup completes.

Some people have suggested that it is down to lack of space on the destination drives, but i have formatted the drives and started again.  The drives are 2TB and the total backup size is ~750gb.  Even though the message suggests we will lose old backups there about 8 available to restore.

I could really do with some help getting this resolved.  If not, at least some pointers as to which the volume is with all the zeros.

Thanks