Small Business Server 2011 Standard - VSS Writer Fails - Backup Fails - '2155348129'.

Question

I have a "new build" SBS 2011 STD server, live since December, that has very inconsistent backup success - perhaps once every two weeks, I see a valid backup.  I am using the installed windows backup wizard from within the SBS console.  The following
writers consistently fail:
- MS Search
- Exchange
- SQL Server
- NTDS
- FRS
I've read a number of similar threads and tried restarting the recommended services (crypto, volume shadow, etc.).  I've run the psconfig per recommendations (twice).
I also have MozyPro installed and it is receiving the same errors in terms of VSS writers failing.
I appreciate any ideas you may have as to how to resolve this.
Thank you!
Jim
PS - here is the consistent failure message in the event log:  the backup operation that sstarted at xxxxxxxxx has failed because the volume shadow copy service operation to create a shadow copy of volumes being backed up failed with the following error
code:  '2155348129'.  Please review the event details for a solutin and then rerun the backup operation once the issue is resolved.
Jim

Answer 1

SBS 2011 running exchange 2010, Acronis Macruim and windows backups all failing this is what I had to do to resolve the VSSS issue.
Following recent backup issues, investagation into the issue are on going, Acronis was first upgraded to latest version, , further investigation, has found an issue with exchange VSS writer, after run a chkdsk for file system errors, errors was detected
and repaired.
Also by stopping the infomation store will allow you to run a backup of your server.
Update: a defrag and repair of exchange mdb, or Service pack to exchange or O/S will not fix the issue.
run VSSADMIN LIST WRITERS at admin level in CMD to see which VSS writer is causing your issue.
Create a BAT file with the following text and run this will register any VSS writers, try a backup if you still get VSS errors please continue with the rest of this document.
BAT creation open notepad and enter
cd /d %windir%\system32
Net stop vss
Net stop swprv
regsvr32 ole32.dll
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 vss_ps.dll
vssvc /register
regsvr32 /i swprv.dll
regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll
regsvr32 es.dll
regsvr32 stdprov.dll
regsvr32 vssui.dll
regsvr32 msxml.dll
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
regsvr32 msxml4.dll
Net stop vss
Net stop swprv
regsvr32 ole32.dll
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 vss_ps.dll
vssvc /register
regsvr32 /i swprv.dll
regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll
regsvr32 es.dll
regsvr32 stdprov.dll
regsvr32 vssui.dll
regsvr32 msxml.dll
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
regsvr32 msxml4.dll
Now save as VSSFIX.bat and run.
Install any updates for share point and complete by doing the following.
1.You can also run the following commands to determine if you need to complete the update process with PSCONFIG:-
1.Launch an elevated (Run as Administrator) SharePoint 2010 Management shell from start All Programs Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products SharePoint 2010 Management Shell.
2.Once the shell opens, type the following command followed by enter:
3.(get-spserver $env:computername).NeedsUpgrade
If the result of this command is true, then you need to complete the steps below. If the result is False then no further action is needed
1. In order to update the SharePoint databases, you must manually run the PSconfig utility. To run the utility:-
1.Open an Administrative command prompt.
2.Change directory to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\BIN
3.Run PSConfig.exe -cmd upgrade -inplace b2b -force -cmd applicationcontent -install -cmd installfeatures
Note:- The Company web site will be inaccessible while the command is running. It is best to run the command after business hours.
Restart the server for the changes to take effect.
The second step is as follows:-
1. Assign the appropriate privileges to the VSS writer user account
2. To perform this procedure, you must have membership in Administrators, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority.
3.  To assign the appropriate privileges to the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) writer user account:
1. On the computer on which the writer is running, click Start.
2.In the Start Search box, type Regedit, and then press Enter.
3.Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesVSSVssAccessControl.
4.Right-click VssAccessControl, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5.Give the registry entry the same name as the user account.
6.Right-click the registry entry name, and then click Modify.
7.Type 1, and then click OK.
4. To grant permissions the Diag registry key:
1.Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesVSSDiag.
2.Right-click Diag, and then and click Permissions.
3.If the writer’s user account is listed under Group or user names, ensure that it has Full Control.
4.If the writer’s user account is not listed under Group or user names, click Add to add the account, and then grant it Full Control.
5.Click OK.
Restart the server for the changes to take effect.
1. In Active Directory Users and Computers, create a Domain Local Security Group named VSSRegistryGroup
2. Add SPFARM and SPSEARCH accounts to the VSSRegistryGroup Group
3. Run regedit 
4. Go to hklm\system\currentcontrolset\services\vss\vssaccesscontrol      
5. Add Dword value of DOMAIN\vssregistrygroup where domain is the netbios domainname (example: CONTOSO\vssregistrygroup Note: The Domain name must be in all caps) set the value to 1      
6. Remove values for domain\spsearch and domain\spfarm      
7. Go to hklm\system\currentcontrolset\services\vss\diag      
8. Right click on diag and go permissions, click advanced and add VSSRegistrygroup group with Full Control.
9.  Remove spsearch and spfarm accounts from the list of permissions
10. Reboot the server
Final work to resolve issue
1.Click Start, click Run, type Regedit on the Open box, and then click OK.
2.Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{61738644-F196-11D0-9953-00C04FD919C1}
3.Right click on the key {61738644-F196-11D0-9953-00C04FD919C1} and choose permissions
4.Click Advanced button
5.Change to the Owner Tab
6.Change the Owner to the Administrators Group be sure to check the box labeled “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”
7.Once the Owner is changed, go back to the security tab and Grant the Administrators group Full Control
8.Close Regedit
Use the following steps to grant the VSSRegistrygroup, SPFARM and the administrator account the local activation right.
1.Click Start, click Run, type dcomcnfg in the Open box, and then click OK.
2.Expand Component Services, expand Computers, expand My Computer, and then click DCOM Config.
3.Right-click IIS WAMREG admin Service, and then click Properties.
4.Click the Security tab.
5.Under Launch and Activation Permissions, click Edit.
6.Click on the SharePoint Farm Account and check the box for Local Activation.
7.Click OK and close out of the Component Services Utility.
All backups should now be running with no need for interaction