NTDS Writer PostSnapshot behavior in Windows Server 2008 differs from the corresponding behavior in Windows Server 2003

Consider the following scenario:

• You create a transportable VSS snapshot on a Windows Server 2008-based computer that has Active Directory-related roles installed.
• The VSS_VOLSNAP_ATTR_AUTORECOVER flag is not enabled.

In this scenario, VSS snapshot creation may fail. Additionally, backup operations that use a VSS snapshot fail because of this issue.

The behavior of NTDS VSS Writer in Windows Server 2008 differs from NTDS VSS Writer behavior in Windows Server 2003. For example, NTDS VSS Writer tries to perform autorecovery during PostSnapshot in Windows Server 2008.

NTDS VSS Writer is set to try autorecovery if the AUTORECOVERY bit is enabled. This bit is always set when VSS passes flags to the writers, even if the requester specifies that the snapshot be transportable and if the hardware cannot perform autorecovery. This causes NTDS Writer to try to fix its component (that is, replay logs, roll forward and roll back transactions) while the snapshot is inaccessible.

Hotfix information for Windows Server 2008

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2008 Service Pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

This hotfix requires Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 to be installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the 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 2008, x86 version

Windows Server 2008, x64 version

Windows Server 2008, IA-64 version

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