VSS

Schmeg · Guest

Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2 with all patches to date.

Prior to SP2, no issues. After SP2 some intermittent VSS issues during
backup.

BackupExec v11 fully updated fails on shadow copy components and system
state using MS VSS sometimes, sometimes it backs up fine.

When it fails I get a VolSnap Event ID 39 that states:

When preparing a new volume shadow copy for volume C:, the shadow copy
storage on volume F: could not be located in non-critical space. Consider
using a shadow copy storage volume that does not have any shadow copies.

I have tried moving the location of the shadow copy, by default it was on
C:, I moved it to D: where I had 60G free space and then to F: where I have
500G free space. I found a description of a similar event that suggested it
may be a size issue. I also adjust the the maximum size to unlimited.
However, right before the event 39 are two events that say previous shadow
copies were removed to avoid maximum setting. I have it set to no limit
though.

Doing a vssadim list writers shows all writers in a [7] failed or [5]
waiting for completion, but last error states no errors. A reboot will clear
the vsswriters back to normal, the backup will then run for some period of
time then before this repeats. ntbackup still works fine though.

My vss components all show newer versions than reflected in any of the
various VSS hotfixes with the exception of
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940252/en-us which relates to a leak. The
reboot clearing the problem for some time period suggests this might be the
case for me, though sometimes it clears on its own without a reboot. Can
anyone tell me what levels and activity one should normally see on the
virtual and private bytes referenced in the that kb.

Any other info or suggestions appreciated too!