Article ID: 982118 - Last Review: September 9, 2010 - Revision: 2.0

The VSS backup operation fails occasionally and Event ID: 2034 is generated on an Exchange Server 2007 server

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SYMPTOMS

In a Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 cluster environment, you use a third-party backup application to perform Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Exchange backup operation. In this situation, the backup operation fails occasionally. Additionally, the following event is generated in Application log:

Log Name: Application

Source: MSExchangeRepl

Event ID: 2034

Task Category: Exchange VSS Writer

Level: Error

Keywords: Classic

Description:

The Microsoft Exchange Replication Service VSS writer (instance <GUID> ) failed with error code FFFFFFFC when processing the backup completion event.

Additionally, you may receive the following error message on the backup application:

0xe000037b - Using the job settings, Backup Exec attempted to back up the passive copy of the Exchange database. However, the passive copy was not available after the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshot was performed. Try to run the job again.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs because Exchange Server 2007 returns False after it incorrectly configures the VSS writer error to VSS_E_WRITERERROR_RETRYABLE during the backup operation.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, install the following update rollup:
2279665  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2279665/ ) Description of Update Rollup 1 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3
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STATUS

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

For more information about the VssWriter class, visit the following Microsoft website:
General information about the VssWriter class (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa381557(VS.85).aspx)
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition
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Keywords: 
kbfix kbqfe kbsurveynew kbexpertiseinter kbhotfixrollup KB982118
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