XP Pro Backup Utility Freeze 1

[martylaz2]

I have been using XP Pro Backup Utility to complete regular backups for several years with no problems. The other day, I started Backup and the system froze at the Starting Shadow Copy popup?

Has anyone else encountered this problem or does anyone know how to fix it?

 

[linney]

Is System Restore an option?

Are there any clues in the Event Viewer?

Are the necessary Services starting and running? Look at Volume Shadow Copy Service and any dependencies.

 

[martylaz2]

Thank you for the response linney. I am a relative novice when it comes to Windows XP troubleshooting. Where do I access the Event Viewer and check whether the Services are started and running?

 

[linney]

Find the My Computer icon and right-click on it and select Manage. This will open up the Microsoft Management Console, look down the left side for options including Event Viewer, Services, and more. Just start clicking and follow your nose, or is it eyes?

The Help and Support program, the MMC Help tab, (or Google) can help you further, or you can post here.

When you get into the body of the Event Viewer or Services, a right-click on anything you highlight will provide extra (valuable) information.

 

[martylaz2]

linney,

Thank you for the advice and directions. I finally had an opportunity to check the Event Viewer, Services, etc..

I found that ntbackup is hanging application every time I have tried to execute a backup since my last successful backup. Interestingly, the same sequence of events and errors are occurring. Here is the sequence that occurs at each backup attempt.

1. I initiate ntbackup
2. I get several MSDTC errors and information messages, in the following order:
a. Error - Event 4163 MSDTC log file not found. After ensuring that all Resource Managers coordinated by MS DTC have no indoubt transactions, please run msdtc -resetlog to create the log file.
b. Error - Event 4185 MSDTC Transaction Manager start failed
c. Error - Event 4112 Could not start the MS DTC Transaction manager
d. Information - Event 4111 The MS DTC service is stopping
e. Error - Event (101) Hanging application ntbackup.exe

I am a pretty naive technically, but is the problem caused by the MSDTC log file being missing and MSDTC needs the log file to exist? Or is it something else?

Finally, how would ensure that all Resource Managers coordinated by MS DTC have no indoubt transactions, and then run msdtc -resetlog to create the log file?

Your answer would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Marty

 

[martylaz2]

linney,

I forgot to mention that I checked the Volume Shadow Copy service and it was NOT started. Also, it has a startup type of manual.

This leads me to a few questions.
Should Volume Shadow Copy have a startup type of manual and can/should I change it to Automatic?

Should I manually start Volume Shadow Copy and then try a backup?

Thanks.

Marty

 

[martylaz2]

linney,

I took your advice and did a little research on Microsoft's tech support. I found helpful info about the need of a log file, so I decided to create a new log file and start logging. I then tried to do a backup and it worked!!

Thank you so much for your help. I could not have resolved this problem without you!

Marty

 

[linney]

I'm glad you sorted it out, and fingers crossed, things are working again.

It is the default setting to have the Volume Shadow Copy service as a Manual startup setting, so don't worry about that.

I only contributed a road map, you did all the hard work yourself, and no doubt learned a lot of things along the way.

The next person to come across this thread may be glad of any Microsoft link if you have it handy to post.

 

[martylaz2]

linney,

I will keep my fingers crossed until my next backup.

As you requested, here is the link to Microsoft's Help and Support article on the MSDTC log file error and how to correct it.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/916926

Thanks again for all your help.

Marty

 

[linney]

Thank you for sharing the link with the Forum.