Error Message

Final error: 0xa000fec9 - A failure occurred accessing the Writer metadata
Final error category: Resource Errors

Final Error Code: a000fec9 HEX (0xa000fec9 HEX) or e000fec9 HEX (0xe000fec9 HEX)
Final Error Description:  "A failure occurred accessing the Writer metadata."
Final Error Category:  Resource Errors
Error Text In Job Log:  "OFO: Initialization failure on: "Shadow?Copy?Components". Advanced Open File Option used: Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).
OFO: Snapshot error (0xfffffec9): A failure occurred accessing the Writer metadata"

UMI Code: V-79-57344-65225

 
 

Cause 1:

This problem may occur if the Volume Shadow Copy Service on either the backup server or remote server is disabled.

Cause 2:

This could be an  issue with Shadow Copy Components on the Server being backed up.

Cause 3:

Due to the System Reserved Partition not being assigned a drive letter by default, Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) is unable to redirect the snapshot of the volume.

Solution 1:

This can easily be resolved by setting the startup type for the Volume Shadow Copy Service to Manual.

To change the Volume Shadow Copy Service to Manual, follow the instructions given below:

1. Go to Start | Programs | Administrative Tools | Services
2. Double-click on the Volume Shadow Copy Service and change the startup type to Manual (Figure 3)

3. Reboot the server.


Figure 2:

 



Solution 2:

1. Usually, a restart of Microsoft exchange information store service or a reboot of the server will resolve this issue. If it fails to resolve the issue, check the VSSADMIN writer status by typing "vssadmin list writers" on command prompt (without quotes)

2. If the VSSADMIN writer shows failed status for any of the writers, refer to the Microsoft Article given below for the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) update package. [Applicable for only Windows Server 2003]. A Reboot is required after installing this patch.

https://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;940349

For further help with writers, please contact Microsoft for assistance.

3. If the VSSADMIN writers shows a "stable" status, update the server with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)  update package given above and test the backup again.
If the issue remains unresolved, contact Veritas Technical Support for further help.

Solution 3:
 

Open Administrative Tools - Computer Management  and select Disk Management in Windows and assign the System Reserved Partition a drive letter.