VSS writer error when running Exchange 2007 SP2 backup
Hi all,We have windows server 2008 sp2 and exchage 2007 sp2 in CCR configuration.When I run the windows backup to backup the the active node I'm gettig the error below in the event log and its not backing up the exchange server.The Microsoft Exchange Replication Service VSS writer failed with error code FFFFFFFC when processing the backup completion eventand this Information Store (4680) Shadow copy instance 3 aborted. When I fail over the exchange server to the secound node and make it as the active node the backup is working.Can someone help with this ?Thankssimon
October 21st, 2009 2:25am

are you backing up to disk or tape? do you have enough free space on the disk/tape where you are backing up?
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October 21st, 2009 9:42am

Hi There,The backup is going to local hdd (LUN) with enoughspace.Simon
October 21st, 2009 11:32am

Hello ,Here are my suggestions:1. We need to verify the state of the VSS Writers before attempting to start the backup. To do that you will need to run the following 2 commands: vssadmin list writers The resullt we are hoping for is to have all writers in a Stable state. If we have any in Retryable Error we will have to restart the IS service on the server and check again to validate that we are now in stable state. vssadmin list providers You should get "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider 1.0" returned as a result.2. Try stopping the MSExchange Replication service before starting the backup and starting it again after the backup finishes and see if that works.It's really important that you have a consitent backup scheme when backing up CCR nodes. You should always try to backup up the same node ( either passive or active) especially if you have diff/incrementals backups in your scheme. You cannot take on Monday a full on the active node and then continue on Tuesday with a differntial of the passive node ( it is not recoomeded that you do so)Also please specify again to us if you are using NTBackup or another third party backup software.For further refference on how to troubleshoot VSS problems please reffer to this article: http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2008/08/25/449684.aspxHope it helps.Have a nice day, Mihai
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October 21st, 2009 12:00pm

Hi Mihia,So far I have done the following,run vssadmin list writers and all writers are inStable state.run vssadmin list providers which gives me"Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider 1.0" I'll stop thereplication service and run the backup again and post the result tomorrow morning (i'm in australia).I'm using the windows server 2008 backup tool which now can backup exchange server 2007 sp2.Thanks
October 21st, 2009 1:12pm

Hi again,Just tried the backup again with the replication service turned off and it didnt backup exchange server.thanks
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October 22nd, 2009 1:24am

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