A non-persistent snapshot cleanup operation is aborted by VSS if the VSS hardware provider takes more than three minutes to perform this operation on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

When the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) hardware provider takes more than three minutes to clean up a non-persistent snapshot set, the operation is aborted by VSS. Therefore, the hardware provider has insufficient time to delete all non-persistent snapshots. When this problem occurs, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• The hardware provider is in a bad state.
• The destination LUNs are in an inconsistent state.
• In the next VSS operations, the provider is vetoed and SCSI errors occur.
• In Device Manager, an exclamation point (!) is displayed in front of a disk device to state that the disk device does not work correctly.

Note This issue usually occurs if the snapshot set has multiple logical unit number (LUN) devices.

This problem occurs on a computer that is running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

This problem occurs because VSS automatically exits when the service is idle for three minutes.

VSS enters an idle state when the VSS hardware provider cleans up the non-persistent snapshots. If the cleanup process is not finished after three minutes, the VSS service exits and does not check whether the hardware providers are still deleting the non-persistent snapshots. Therefore, this problem occurs.

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 the problem described in this article. 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

To apply this hotfix, the computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

For more information about how to install the Windows Server 2003 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

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.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported Windows XP professional X64 Edition

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

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Technical support for x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows

If your hardware came with a Microsoft Windows x64 edition already installed, your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for the Windows x64 edition. In this case, your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation by using unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you must have technical help with a Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware. If you purchased a Windows x64 edition such as a Windows Server 2003 x64 edition separately, contact Microsoft for technical support.

For product information about Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

For more information about a related VSS issue, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: