I just got this info from a Veritas tech:
Hi Don ,
It would be hard to tell why exactly the error occurred since it has not returned .
However you may refer the document at the following link for more information on WMI :
http://support.veritas.com/docs/194721
Following steps can be performed to resolve this issue :
PART-1:
On the server having error related with WMI,
1.Go to Start > Settings >
Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
2. Find the WMI service and verify whether the startup type is set to
Automatic and its status to Started.
If the issue persists, then try to backup WMI manually:
1. Right-click on My Computer and click on Manage.
2. Expand Services and Applications in the left window pane.
3. Right-click on WMI control and click on Properties
4. Click on the Backup/Restore tab and then click on the Back Up Now button
5. Type in a name for the file in the File Name field and click on the Open
button.
If this generates any kind of error during the backup, then it could be WMI database related issue. Microsoft Support should be contacted for immediate attention
Part-2:
If the windows backs up the WMI data successfully then follow these steps.
Check the physical space on the C:\drive where WMI data resides, Make sure at least 1 GB of free space is available.
Perform the backup again.
Part-3:
Incase it still fails with the same error, follow these steps.
Go to Local\remote server \\Server
1) Stop Windows Management service
2) Move out everything under c:\winnt\system32\wbem into temp directory
3) Start Windows Management service.
Run the backup again.
Part-4:
Incase the issue remains unresolved, please deselect the following folder from backup because this directory gets backed up automatically during SYSTEM STATE backup.
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\WBEM directory .
Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM)
In windows 2003, WMI is a part of SHADOW COPY COMPONENTS.