ABR 11 Workstation - VSS Errors
Hello,
We recently deployed an enterprise customer with 7 copies of ABR11W.
They have seven "almost new" machines running Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1, fully updated.
Each machine is set to backup to a file share in each users profile folder on a single Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
Previously we were using the built in Windows 7 backup with no problems. The only hitch is that it does not automatically consolidate old backups so after a few months we would simply delete the old backups manually. This was the main purpose of installing ABR11, to automatically consolidate after 30 days.
1. - We are getting an emailed log file from each machine saying [Task 'Incremental backup' has succeeded on machine 'UNC'.]. Although we have the "success" email option unchecked in ABR11, when we check the local ABR11 log it shows "Succeeded with warnings". However the backup log indicates VSS errors (see sample log below). All of the machines have identical logs in regards to the errors. Interestingly the backup archive seems to be created ok on the file server despite these errors. The VSS setting is default of "HW/SW Automatic"
*Please note that I have already scoured the support site and tried the "obvious" fix, which is to add the acronis agent user account to the administrators group and reboot/recreate task. This did not have any effect on the errors. Also after reading some similar VSS problems from other users of ABR11 here, I am grateful that its still backing up despite the errors. Maybe my situation can shed some light on this problem.
2. - The timestamp in the logs for each machine appears to be +4 hours (GST?). For example a machine running the backup task at 8pm shows 12am start time and a machine starting at 11pm shows 3am. The local system time is correct, is there a setting for time or region in ABR11?
TIA
kris
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1 Information 7/13/2011 3:00:07 AM TOL: Command 'Backing up' is running.
2 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:30 AM Analyzing partition '1-0'...
3 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:31 AM Create Incremental Backup
From: Disk '1'
To file: "file://*server*\users\*user*\backups\Archive(1)_2011_07_07_23_00_34_384D2.TIB"
Compression: Normal
Exclude: Files matching mask
Match criterion: *\System Volume Information\*{3808876B-C176-4e48-B7AE-04046E6CC752}; ...
4 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:32 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
5 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:32 AM Locking partition 1-1...
6 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:32 AM Failed to get VSS metadata for backup.
Additional info:
--------------------
Error code: 704
Module: 64
LineInfo: 26556611c50a732a
Fields: $module : C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\BackupAndRecovery\DiskBundle.dll
Message: Failed to get VSS metadata for backup.
--------------------
Error code: 65520
Module: 0
LineInfo: bd28fdbd64edb8bc
Fields: code : 2147942450
Message: The request is not supported
--------------------
7 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:32 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
8 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:50 AM Failed to create the volume snapshot.
Additional info:
--------------------
Error code: 50247
Module: 16
LineInfo: 14181c22ef45b06d
Fields: $module : C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\BackupAndRecovery\DiskBundle.dll
Message: Failed to create the volume snapshot.
--------------------
Error code: 65520
Module: 0
LineInfo: bd28fdbd64edb8bc
Fields: code : 2147942450
Message: The request is not supported
--------------------
9 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:50 AM Locking partition 0-0...
10 Information 7/13/2011 3:02:51 AM Failed to get VSS metadata for backup.
Additional info:
--------------------
Error code: 704
Module: 64
LineInfo: 26556611c50a732a
Fields: $module : C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\BackupAndRecovery\DiskBundle.dll
Message: Failed to get VSS metadata for backup.
--------------------
Error code: 65520
Module: 0
LineInfo: bd28fdbd64edb8bc
Fields: code : 2147942450
Message: The request is not supported
--------------------
11 Information 7/13/2011 3:04:30 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
12 Information 7/13/2011 3:06:18 AM Pending operation 148 started: 'Saving partition structure'.
13 Information 7/13/2011 3:06:19 AM TOL: Command 'Backing up' has completed successfully.
14 Information 7/13/2011 3:07:40 AM TOL: Command 'Replicating backups' is running.
15 Information 7/13/2011 3:10:05 AM TOL: Command 'Replicating backups' has completed successfully.
Task 'Incremental backup' has succeeded on machine 'UNC'.

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I had similar errors and i could resolve the problem by setting the VSS provider in backup task settings to "Software - System Provider". The automatic selection didn't work at all.
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Thanks for the prompt responses.
Ill go onsite later today and change one of the workstations VSS setting to "Disabled" and another to "Software System Provider" and then compare logs tonight when the tasks run automatically.
I have many corporate customers that need a reliable backup software, like the older versions of Acronis TI and DD that flat out "just worked" without ANY problems or strange issues. I'm sure Acronis will stand behind their product so lets be patient with them!
Ill admit I was VERY surprised when I saw the ABR11 installer was 600+ MB.
Ill never forget what our teacher Mr. B said in my first A+ course back in 1999... KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid!
kris
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Disabling VSS got rid of the errors all together whereas setting "Software - System Provider" got far fewer errors but still a couple. Is there really a danger to backing up without VSS?
LOG FROM MACHINE WITH VSS DISABLED:
1 Information 7/14/2011 1:00:07 AM TOL: Command 'Backing up' is running.
2 Information 7/14/2011 1:02:39 AM Analyzing partition '1-0'...
3 Information 7/14/2011 1:02:40 AM Create Incremental Backup
From: Disk '1'
To file: "file://*server*\USERS\*user*\BACKUPS\Archive(1)_2011_07_06_21_02_46_079D4.TIB"
Compression: Normal
Exclude: Files matching mask
Match criterion: *\System Volume Information\*{3808876B-C176-4e48-B7AE-04046E6CC752}; ...
4 Information 7/14/2011 1:02:40 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
5 Information 7/14/2011 1:02:40 AM Locking partition 0-0...
6 Information 7/14/2011 1:04:12 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
7 Information 7/14/2011 1:04:20 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
8 Information 7/14/2011 1:08:15 AM Pending operation 148 started: 'Saving partition structure'.
9 Information 7/14/2011 1:08:16 AM TOL: Command 'Backing up' has completed successfully.
10 Information 7/14/2011 1:09:36 AM TOL: Command 'Replicating backups' is running.
11 Information 7/14/2011 1:11:53 AM TOL: Command 'Replicating backups' has completed successfully.
Task 'Incremental backup' has succeeded on machine 'unc'.
LOG FROM MACHINE WITH VSS = "Software - System Provider":
1 Information 7/14/2011 12:00:04 AM TOL: Command 'Backing up' is running.
2 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:31 AM Analyzing partition '1-0'...
3 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:32 AM Create Incremental Backup
From: Disk '1'
To file: "file://*server*\users\*user*\backups\Archive(1)_2011_07_06_20_03_42_622D4.TIB"
Compression: Normal
Exclude: Files matching mask
Match criterion: *\System Volume Information\*{3808876B-C176-4e48-B7AE-04046E6CC752}; ...
4 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:33 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
5 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:33 AM Locking partition 1-1...
6 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:33 AM Failed to get VSS metadata for backup.
Additional info:
--------------------
Error code: 704
Module: 64
LineInfo: 26556611c50a732a
Fields: $module : C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\BackupAndRecovery\DiskBundle.dll
Message: Failed to get VSS metadata for backup.
--------------------
Error code: 65520
Module: 0
LineInfo: bd28fdbd64edb8bc
Fields: code : 2147942450
Message: The request is not supported
--------------------
7 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:34 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
8 Information 7/14/2011 12:02:49 AM Locking partition 0-0...
9 Information 7/14/2011 12:05:47 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
10 Information 7/14/2011 12:12:27 AM Pending operation 148 started: 'Saving partition structure'.
11 Information 7/14/2011 12:12:28 AM TOL: Command 'Backing up' has completed successfully.
12 Information 7/14/2011 12:13:48 AM TOL: Command 'Replicating backups' is running.
13 Information 7/14/2011 12:16:05 AM TOL: Command 'Replicating backups' has completed successfully.
Task 'Incremental backup' has succeeded on machine 'unc'.
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I also see the "VSS Snapshot" warnings in my logs, but all backups made so far do recover sucessfully. I tried some of the settings you mention, with and without the service running, but am not too concerned because my recoveries do boot. Our remote pcs run Windows on CF media, so it is very easy to test recovery scenarios. Regarding your time stamp issue, make sure the pc that runs the management console/server and all your remote pcs are set to the same time zone. My remote pcs were initially set to a different time zone, plus the daylight saving option also had to be checked. After verifying all pcs had the same settings, all my time stamps for the plans and logs are now correct.
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JBswift wrote:Regarding your time stamp issue, make sure the pc that runs the management console/server and all your remote pcs are set to the same time zone. My remote pcs were initially set to a different time zone, plus the daylight saving option also had to be checked. After verifying all pcs had the same settings, all my time stamps for the plans and logs are now correct.
The machines are running ABR11 Workstation, they are not remotely managed, each machine is configured in standalone.
The server currently runs WSB to backup its os, hyperv and the userdata partition to external eSATA 2TB drives which are rotated offsite.
All 8 machines show the same time and date and have the same timezone and region settings. I will double check DST...
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I'm having a similar problem with the time stamps in the emails and have a open case with support. Support keeps asking for more info, but I think by reading your post, I see the problem.
It looks like they might using GMT for the time stamps in the email instead of current local time. I'm on the West Coast US (GMT-7) and the time stamps in my logs are exactly 7 hours off and it looks like you're on the East Coast--(GMT-4) if I am looking at the right chart.
I have added this info to my open ticket with support. It's not a show stopper, but man is it annoying.
I also have had the same VSS error. I found a release note that mentioned that if you got errors to change the VSS setting to Software - System Provider (to use Microsoft Software Shadow Copy) type VSS, however, when I did, one of my windows 7 machines completely froze during backup. This is part of a Dynamic Backup Plan and I haven't had time to go back and investigate yet. For most other machines, making the vss change seemed to work, but I would like to keep my dynamic plan to keep things consistent.
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