JSI Tip 9946. Backup fails on a Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 domain controller?

When you attempt a System State backup on a domain controller that is running Windows Server 2003 with SP1, backup fails, with a Backup.log file similar to:

Backup Status Operation: Backup Active backup destination: File Media name: "bkup_file.bkf created MM/DD/YYYYat HH:MM AM|PM" NTDS has reported a VSS error 0x800423f0. Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:800423f0 Reverting to non-shadow copy backup mode. Backup of "System State" Backup set #1 on media #1 Backup description: "Set created MM/DD/YYYYat HH:MM AM|PM" Media name: "bkup_file.bkf created MM/DD/YYYYat HH:MM AM|PM" Backup Type: CopyIssuing the "vssadmin list writers" command indicates that the NTDS writer failed. VSSADMIN LOG entries: ==================== Writer name: 'NTDS' Writer Id: {b2014c9e-8711-4c5c-a5a9-3cf384484757} Writer Instance Id: {31102ed2-faf7-4617-89b0-4d3bfa41d211} State: [9] Failed Last error: Retryable error

This behavior will occur if the DIT (Active Directory database) volume is on the system drive and the log files are not, or if the log files are on the system drive, and the DIT volume is not. If both volumes are on the system drive, or if both volumes are not, Backup succeeds, per the following table:

To resolve this behavior, save any dummy file to the volume that contains the log files, so that the Volume Shadow Copy Service, which was first used to back up the Active Directory database and the log files in SP1, will backup the volume.

NOTE: See How can I move the Active Directory database and/or log files to a different partition?

NOTE: You can also use a 3rd party backup solution, like Yosemite TapeWare or UltraBac.