The backup process may fail and a time-out error may occur in Volume Shadow Copy Service writers

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) writers may time out during the backup process and cause the backup to fail. Additionally, you may find the following error message as the status of the backup process:

During snapshot creation, the freeze event suspends all program write activity for data consistency. For example, an SQL database must be in freeze mode for snapshot creation. The thaw event releases the program after successful snapshot creation. The snapshot creation process takes less than 60 seconds.

When the freeze event is called, a worker thread is created to issue a time-out after 60 seconds. If the thaw event is not called within 60 seconds, the worker thread issues a time-out.

This problem occurs if the thaw event is called before the worker thread is started. The worker thread issues a time-out after the thaw event is called and causes the VSS writer to fail.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more 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

This hotfix requires Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

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 item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

For more 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: