Shadow Copy Components Backup Failed - HELP!!!

[axp275]

My client continues to receive an error message that the backup failed due to the inability to process the “Shadow Copy Components” on a Windows Server 2003 system. The error we have been receiving in the backup log is listed below.

OFO: Initialization failure on: "Shadow?Copy?Components". Advanced Open File Option used: Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).
OFO: Snapshot error (0xfffffec9): A failure occurred accessing the Writer metadata.

I have searched for a solution based on this message and found one patch that appears to be a possible solution and installed the patch but the problem continues to occur. I also followed instructions on determining the source of the problem and still am unclear as to why this is happening and what can be done to correct it.

We replaced all the tapes in Jan. 2005. Monday and Wednesday nights backup went fine, however Tuesday and Thursday both failed w/ the aforementioned error. It looks like the files are getting backed up but am not an expert w/ Veritas backup exec so if anyone could shed some light on this thanks in advance.

James
Sunrise Computer Services

[Sharvari_Deshmu]

Hello,

We presume that you are using backup Exec 9.1

To resolve the issue please see the following technote:

"A failure occurred accessing the Writer metadata" (a000fec9 HEX or e000fec9 HEX) is reported during a failed backup

http://support.veritas.com/docs/264350

If the above solution does not help please do the following steps
perform the following steps immediately after a failed Shadow Copy Components backup has been identified:

1. Open a command prompt on the server in question
2. Type the following command: VSSADMIN LIST WRITERS
3. Review the output and identify the Last Error failure status for the specific VSS Application Writer that was involved in the data protection operation (Figure 3, failed "NTDS" VSS Writer). Ensure that the writers are all showing a State of " Stable" and that Last Error is showing "No error."
If Last Error states:
- Retryable Error, then retrying the data protection backup operation might resolve the VSS Application Writer's initial failure
- Non-Retryable Error, view the Event Viewer's Application Log for information regarding the cause and possible solution to this issue.

4. If the VSS Application Writer failure does not reset after a period of time, Backup Exec for Windows Servers continues to fail, or the native backup utility fails, then attempt to reboot the system and contact the specific company that produced the VSS Application Writer for further assistance.

Please see the foll technote for more information:
How to troubleshoot the error "A failure occurred querying the Writer status" (a000fed1 HEX or e000fed1 HEX) using VSSADMIN

http://support.veritas.com/docs/261993

Thanks,

[Abhinav_Bindroo]

In reference to our previous reply to your post, we would request you to update us on the progress. However, if we do not receive your intimation within two business days, this post would be assumed answered and archived.

[Sheetal_Risbood]

Archiving the post as per our previous reply