The backup process may fail and a time-out error may occur in Volume Shadow Copy Service writers (915331)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition

SYMPTOMS

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) writers may time out during the backup process and cause the backup to fail. Additionally, you may find the following error message as the status of the backup process:
FAILED_AT_FREEZE (0x800423f2 - VSS_E_WRITERERROR_TIMEOUT)

CAUSE

During snapshot creation, the freeze event suspends all program write activity for data consistency. For example, an SQL database must be in freeze mode for snapshot creation. The thaw event releases the program after successful snapshot creation. The snapshot creation process takes less than 60 seconds.

When the freeze event is called, a worker thread is created to issue a time-out after 60 seconds. If the thaw event is not called within 60 seconds, the worker thread issues a time-out.

This problem occurs if the thaw event is called before the worker thread is started. The worker thread issues a time-out after the thaw event is called and causes the VSS writer to fail.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

This hotfix requires Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirementService branch
Eventcls.dll5.2.3790.264182,43218-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Ftdisk.sys5.2.3790.2641499,20018-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Partmgr.sys5.2.3790.264183,45618-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Volsnap.sys5.2.3790.2641476,67218-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssui.dll5.2.3790.2641408,06418-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vss_ps.dll5.2.3790.264131,23218-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641832,51218-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641314,36818-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.26411,643,52018-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.26412,589,69618-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641832,51218-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641314,36818-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.26411,643,52018-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.26412,589,69618-Feb-200604:03IA-64SP1SP1QFE
Wvssapi.dll5.2.3790.2641561,66418-Feb-200604:03x86SP1WOW
Wvss_ps.dll5.2.3790.264119,45618-Feb-200604:03x86SP1WOW
Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirementService branch
Eventcls.dll5.2.3790.264146,08018-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Ftdisk.sys5.2.3790.2641240,12818-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Partmgr.sys5.2.3790.264145,05618-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Volsnap.sys5.2.3790.2641288,76818-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssui.dll5.2.3790.2641233,47218-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vss_ps.dll5.2.3790.264125,60018-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641656,38418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641245,24818-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.26411,320,96018-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.26412,061,82418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641656,38418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641245,24818-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.26411,320,96018-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.26412,061,82418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641656,38418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641245,24818-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.26411,320,96018-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.26412,061,82418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641656,38418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641245,24818-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.26411,320,96018-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.26412,061,82418-Feb-200604:03x64SP1SP1QFE
Wvssapi.dll5.2.3790.2641561,66418-Feb-200604:03x86SP1WOW
Wvss_ps.dll5.2.3790.264119,45618-Feb-200604:03x86SP1WOW
Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirementService branch
Eventcls.dll5.2.3790.264131,23218-Feb-200604:24x86SP1SP1QFE
Ftdisk.sys5.2.3790.2641137,21618-Feb-200602:07x86SP1SP1QFE
Partmgr.sys5.2.3790.264125,08818-Feb-200602:32x86SP1SP1QFE
Swprv.dll5.2.3790.2641275,96818-Feb-200604:24x86SP1SP1QFE
Volsnap.sys5.2.3790.2641153,08818-Feb-200602:08x86SP1SP1QFE
Vssadmin.exe5.2.3790.2641133,63218-Feb-200602:08x86SP1SP1QFE
Vssapi.dll5.2.3790.2641561,66418-Feb-200604:24x86SP1SP1QFE
Vssui.dll5.2.3790.2641144,38418-Feb-200604:24x86SP1SP1QFE
Vssvc.exe5.2.3790.2641836,09618-Feb-200602:08x86SP1SP1QFE
Vss_ps.dll5.2.3790.264119,45618-Feb-200604:24x86SP1SP1QFE

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbhotfixserver kbpubtypekc KB915331 kbAudITPRO
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