Your system stops responding when you continuously create and then delete Volume Shadow Copy Service snapshots in Windows Server 2003

Assume the following scenario:

1. You create a Volume Shadow Copy Service snapshot.
2. You copy the snapshot to a storage device.
3. You delete the original snapshot.
4. You immediately repeat this process with a new snapshot in a lengthy series of snapshots.

After approximately 30 minutes of repeating this process, your Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer stops responding (hangs).

This issue occurs because of a problem in the Volsnap.sys driver file that implements the process for creating and for deleting snapshots in the Volume Shadow Copy Service. In this scenario, the shadow copy storage area grows every time that you create and then delete a Volume Shadow Copy Service snapshot.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 64-bit version

Windows Server 2003 32-bit version

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For additional information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: