Exchange Full Backup failure; help a new guy out

[TylerVanHorne]

Howdy;

Running Backup Exec 11d.  Without any changes or reboots, my exchange weekly full backups are failing.   Pasted below are first the error log that backup exec provided, second is the event log. Installed all hotfixes, replaced media in the library.  Using a Sony LIB-81. My daily backups on the file servers are running fine using the same device.  What should I check next?

Backup- CPI10
V-79-57344-34110 - AOFO: Initialization failure on: "\\CPI10\Microsoft Information Store\First Stora...
Snapshot provider error (0xE000FED1): A failure occurred querying the Writer status.
Check the Windows Event Viewer for details.
Writer Name: Exchange Server, Writer ID: {76FE1AC4-15F7-4BCD-987E-8E1ACB462FB7}, Last error: The VSS...

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Backup Exec
Event Category: None
Event ID: 34113
Date:  4/17/2007
Time:  2:21:25 PM
User:  N/A
Computer: CPI1
Description:
Backup Exec Alert: Job Failed
(Server: "CPI1") (Job: "Full Exchange DR Only") Full Exchange DR Only -- The job failed with the following error: A failure occurred querying the Writer status.
 

 For more information, click the following link:
http://eventlookup.veritas.com/eventlookup/EventLookup.jhtml

[Patty_McGowan]

Hi Tyler,

It sounds like you may have some VSS problems.

I would recommend running vssadmin list writers to see if you have any that are not stable.

If you do a reboot may fix them.

Patty

[TylerVanHorne]

This may be a stupid question, but I have to ask.  How do you run a vssadmin list writers?  And when you say to do a reboot, do you mean a reboot of the backup server that runs Backup Exec, or a reboot of my Exchange server?

[Patty_McGowan]

Its not a stupid question at all.

You will run the command in a command prompt, go to run and type in cmd and hit enter.

When the box opens you will type in vssadmin list writers

It will then list all of the VSS writers on the system.

If any of them show anything but stable a reboot of the Exchange server will be required.

Also, run the list writers on the Exchange server.

Patty

[TylerVanHorne]

All stable on the backup server.  On my Exchange server, the "Microsoft Exchange Writer" is the only one showing FAILED!

So......as I would prefer not to bring down the whole company....I'll just go ahead and ask.....what shall I do next?

[Patty_McGowan]

Tyler,

You would either need to reboot the server, in hopes that it would clear it up or contact Microsoft.

I know that is not the answer you were looking for but there is nothing that I am aware of that will clear that out with out a reboot.

Patty

[TylerVanHorne]

Thanks a lot Patty, I don't mind doing a reboot after hours because its not a 24/7 company, just wanted to make sure and not make any changes that might crash Exchange.  I'll reboot tonight, let you know in the morning.  I appreciate your help, because of you my boss thinks I know what I'm doing!

[Patty_McGowan]

Glad I could help with that

Keep me updated.

[TylerVanHorne]

Well, it worked.  Did a reboot, this morning all services were up that were stalled, and I ran a backup this morning of Exchange and it completed.  Thank you so much Patty!