OFO: initialization failure using VSS

[Eric_Kirscher]

Getting error on OFO: Initialization failure on: "\\server\shadow?copy?components". Adnvanced open file option used: Microsoft volume shadow copy service (vss). VSS snapshot error. unexpected provider error. Check event log for more details.

I've completely uninstalled the agent, removed it all manually from the registry, restarted the server, reinstalled the client and rebooted again. I still get the same VSS error and my results of running the list writer command:

Microsoft Windows
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

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

Writer name: 'System Writer'
Writer Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
Writer Instance Id: {624ab1fd-f1fb-42e9-9da3-860018e890db}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'MSDEWriter'
Writer Id: {f8544ac1-0611-4fa5-b04b-f7ee00b03277}
Writer Instance Id: {ca11f258-3cac-4d8b-84b7-9e947dfd4be8}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Registry Writer'
Writer Id: {afbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485}
Writer Instance Id: {94899c71-aba7-4e45-9974-5def2e023d02}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'COM+ REGDB Writer'
Writer Id: {542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f}
Writer Instance Id: {b83f2141-9e45-4daf-9c7e-77e511633fb9}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Event Log Writer'
Writer Id: {eee8c692-67ed-4250-8d86-390603070d00}
Writer Instance Id: {ac52fafd-d811-4d44-bb54-c2d31b401838}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'BITS Writer'
Writer Id: {4969d978-be47-48b0-b100-f328f07ac1e0}
Writer Instance Id: {e17b3d4c-679d-45b7-829b-d211824ade87}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'WMI Writer'
Writer Id: {a6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0}
Writer Instance Id: {469ef86b-dbdd-46d6-8cee-e16d58821304}
State: Stable
Last error: No error


Here is the error in event viewer:

Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on the Shadow Copy Provider {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}. Routine details Cannot ask provider {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5} if volume is supported. .

[tejashree_Bhate]

Hello,

This error message is caused due to the following reasons:

1. The backup to disk folder being used is selected for an Advanced Open File Option (AOFO) backup.

2. Volume Shadow Copy Service Provider (VSS) is not started on the target machine.

3. Remote Agent for Windows Servers (RAWS) is not installed on the target machine.

4. No Network Connectivity to the target machine.

5. Advanced Open File Option (AOFO) software is not installed on the target machine.

6. No License for AOFO has been entered in the Media server.

To resolve this issue:

1. Verify VSS is started on target machine.

2. Verify RAWS is installed and started on target machine.

3. Verify AOFO is installed and started on target machine.

4. Verify AOFO licensing on target machine.

5. Verify B2D folders being used are not selected for backup.

6. Verify Network Connectivity outside the Backup Exec program

Note : If we do not receive your reply within two business days, this post would be marked ‘assumed answered’ and would be moved to ‘answered questions’ pool.


Thanks.

[Eric_Kirscher]

1. N/A
2. VSS is started
3. RAWS is installed
4. Network Connectivity is fine
5. AOFO is installed on the target server
6. AOFO license verified on the server

1. VSS started
2. RAWS started
3. AOFO is installed (VSP.sys)
4. how?
5. N/A
6. Done

This all worked fine until we had to do a repair install of server 2003 after a RAID crash. Everything worked fine except RAID creation through Dell Open Manage Server Administrator and the Shadow Copy tab on both C: and D: RAID volumes reads:

Initialization failed.

Error 0x8004232304: The Volume shadow copy provider is not registered in the system.

[Eric_Kirscher]

I've done everything that has been asked and I've researched this extensively. I've installed the new Microsoft patch for VSS as well but to no avail. Please help.

[Ajit_Kulkarni]

Hello,

Please refer to the following technote:

OFO: Initialization failure on: "Shadow?Copy?Components" Advanced Open File Option used: Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). VSS Snapshot error. Unexpected provider error.
http://support.veritas.com/docs/265927

Hope it helps you.

Regards


NOTE : If we do not receive your reply within two business days, this post would be marked "assumed answered" and would be moved to "answered questions" pool.

[Eric_Kirscher]

First of all, I came to this site to seek the "experts" that can solve issues technical people can't figure out themselves. If you are going to change responders, please read the previous posts before you make a suggestion. Everything in the technote that was suggested is listed above. I have already done everything listed in every technote located on your site as well as everything I could find throughout the internet. I don't mean to sound pushy, but if there is more information you need to get me a quick, quality answer, let me know and I will provide it. I am an Expert in BackupExec 9.1 and for the first time ever I am lost.

[Eric_Kirscher]

More information:

Microsoft Windows
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\ekirscher>vssadmin list writers
vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool
(C) Copyright 2001 Microsoft Corp.

Writer name: 'System Writer'
Writer Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
Writer Instance Id: {8be07fa5-5bd4-4fe3-8caa-2fc398eec099}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'MSDEWriter'
Writer Id: {f8544ac1-0611-4fa5-b04b-f7ee00b03277}
Writer Instance Id: {531b64ee-987d-43f6-a2a7-6a8841e1297a}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Registry Writer'
Writer Id: {afbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485}
Writer Instance Id: {7d5a2001-7f19-41f3-84ce-5c667938f408}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'Event Log Writer'
Writer Id: {eee8c692-67ed-4250-8d86-390603070d00}
Writer Instance Id: {cdc6c347-1290-4ff1-870d-7d5d17210440}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'COM+ REGDB Writer'
Writer Id: {542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f}
Writer Instance Id: {cce9c099-d274-4030-b820-aafa4eb6bdb4}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'WMI Writer'
Writer Id: {a6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0}
Writer Instance Id: {b3194972-386c-477a-826c-aa083ab63b23}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'BITS Writer'
Writer Id: {4969d978-be47-48b0-b100-f328f07ac1e0}
Writer Instance Id: {0e14ae82-9ba5-44cd-b42c-75b32a79d85c}
State: Stable
Last error: No error

Writer name: 'IIS Metabase Writer'
Writer Id: {59b1f0cf-90ef-465f-9609-6ca8b2938366}
Writer Instance Id: {a4e4cd50-848b-4391-9420-9f4192c733e5}
State: Stable
Last error: No error


C:\Documents and Settings\ekirscher>vssadmin list providers
vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool
(C) Copyright 2001 Microsoft Corp.

Provider name: 'Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider 1.0'
Provider type: System
Provider Id: {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}
Version: 1.0.0.7


C:\Documents and Settings\ekirscher>vssadmin list volumes
vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool
(C) Copyright 2001 Microsoft Corp.

Error: The shadow copy provider had an unexpected error while trying to process
the specified command.

EVENT VIEWER
Event ID 12293
Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on the Shadow Copy Provider {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}. Routine details IVssSnapshotProvider::QueryVolumesSupportedForSnapshots(ProviderId,29,...) .

Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on the Shadow Copy Provider {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}. Routine details Cannot ask provider {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5} if volume is supported. .

Shadow tab of c: or e: drive says:

Failed to retrieve volumes that are eligible for Shadow Copies.

error 0x8004230f
The Shadow Copy Provider had an unexpected errorwhile trying to process the specified operation.

[Eric_Kirscher]

Here is more information that is probably generic and won't help but...:

Job ended: Thursday, August 18, 2005 at 6:48:36 AM
Completed status: Failed
Final error: 0x8004230f - 0x8004230f (2147754767)

Final error category: Other Errors

[Ashutosh_Tamhan]

Hello!

Will you paste the job log of NTBackup here?
Does NtBackup finish the backup of your resources successfully? Especially system state?

Regards,
Ashutosh

NOTE : If we do not receive your reply within two business days, this post would be marked assumed answered and would be moved to answered questions pool.

[karl_jankowski]

Did you ever fix this issue? I ran into it myself with the same circumstances and found nothing that would help resolve it.

[Dave_Irvine]

We have this exact same issue. We recovered from a failed RAID. After that we have been unable to do full backup of our SBS 2003 server with Veritas 9.1 or NTBACKUP. The VSS tab is unable to display volume information - it blows up exactly the way described above. The VSSADMIN tool is useless as described in other posts I have read. We have been working this for 2 weeks. We reinstalled all the SBS 2003 SP1 updates - no help. We are finding a distinct lack of good information and a resolution is either not out there yet or it is hiding under a rock. We are not even sure who needs to take responsibility in this matter - Veritas/Symantec? Microsoft? Someone else? God?

We'd like to see some effort put forth by the experts. I have been using BackupExec for years and years - I have never been hammered by an issue like this.

Dave

[Dave_Irvine]

More info:

Job Completion Status
Job ended: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 at 8:26:47 AM
Completed status: Failed
Final error: 0x8004230f - 0x8004230f (2147754767)

Final error category: Other Errors



Errors
Click an error below to locate it in the job log
Backup - \\SVR-SAMC
OFO: Initialization failure on: "Shadow?Copy?Components". Advanced Open File Option used: Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).
VSS Snapshot error. Unexpected provider error. Check event log for more details.

[Dave_Irvine]

Here is just a bit more info. The stuff I added above was from BE9.1, however, this stuff below is the logged output from NTBACKUP attempting to backup the System State. This is essentially what is failing.

Log:

Backup Status
Operation: Backup
Active backup destination: File
Media name: "Backup.bkf created 10/9/2005 at 10:18 PM"

Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0x8004230f.

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:8004230f
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete.

----------------------

[Gregor_Furrer]

I have the following message on several servers:

Siemens Primergy, RX600:
Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on the Shadow Copy Provider {637528cf-81b2-4e05-8bd2-74b33b6f893c}. Routine details IVssProviderNotifications::OnLoad . Source: VSS, Event-ID 12293.

HP ProLiant, DL 580 G2:
Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on the Shadow Copy Provider {637528cf-81b2-4e05-8bd2-74b33b6f893c}. Routine details IVssProviderNotifications::OnLoad . Source: VSS, Event-ID 12293

I couldn't find anything in the internet, neither at symantec. The required service for the volume shadow copies (swprv) is running. Stopping and starting the Service doesn't help. We too, like Eric Kirscher seek for help, as this is starting to be an issue at our company...

[Jeremy_Fourman]

Hello,
Searching the exact same error code I came across this thread...this has the most responses out of any I have found which as others have stated has been very very far and few between. I have posted onmultiple sites. I am sorry to restart and old dead thread, but did anyone find a solution? In deperate need and very thankful for any help.
Jeremy

[Jeremy_Fourman]

Sorry I should post my error codes.

Backup Status
Operation: Backup
Active backup destination: File
Media name: "test.bkf created 2/21/2006 at 3:49 PM"

Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:0x8004230f.

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:8004230f
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete.

----------------------

I recieve error codes
Error Code 8019, 12292, and 11.
in the event viewer.

Many thanks.

[Sean_W_2]

After installing Acronis True Image server, we are now getting this error. I have disable Acronis's services, and insured that the services "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy" and "Volume Shadow Copy" are running. While running I was able to do a test back up that completed successfully. So I thought the issue was resolved.

This morning the log output to Veritas SBS stated the scheduled backup had failed. Checking the services I find that both the Shadow Copies have been shut off.

I have found other references that these services need to be re-registered. Has anyone found a viable solution to this problem?

[Megan_Sims]

I received same errors in microsoft backup. Finally resolved problem by changing MS Software Shadow Provider to Local Logon in service properties.

Problem began with install of service pack 1, but I do not know if the service pack changed the logon to the Administrator account, or if that setting was there prior to the service pack install.

[Alan_Cook]

We have also received the same errors in veritas and windows backup. They started right after SP1 for 2003. I called Microsoft and they sent me instructions to reregister VSS. I did that and it worked for about 2-3 months... then about 2 weeks ago I have started getting them again. I have tried to reregister VSS again. It worked for 1 day now I'm getting the errors again. It is a Microsoft problem for sure, not Veritas because Veritas also gets no errors if nt backup works. I really hope to find another fix for this because I'm about down to reloading the server.

[Martin_Hurka]

Do you have a MS KB Article Number for that ?