Veeam backup fails with the error: Unfreeze error(over VIX):backup job failed

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Veeam backup fails
• You see the error:
  
  Freezing Guest Operating system .Unfreeze error(Over VIX) (Backup job failed)
  
  
• The application event log shows that VSS is stopped:
  
  Information Store (968) Shadow copy instance 23 aborted
  
  
• The vssadmin list writers shows:
  
  Non-Retryable error for Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) of the Microsoft Exchange Replication service
  
  
• Stopping the I/O on the Windows 2008 64-bit virtual machine running Microsoft Exchange 2007 does not resolve issue
• Uninstalling VMware Tools, then performing a custom install and deselecting VSS does not resolve issue
• You can take a snapshot through vCenter Server, but not through Veeam.

Environment

VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded

Cause

This issue occurs if the VSS writer of the Microsoft Exchange Replication service fails.

Resolution

To troubleshoot driver issues, seeTroubleshooting Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) quiesce related issues (1007696).

If the issue persists, contact Microsoft for further assistance.

Additional Information

Troubleshooting Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) quiesce related issues

Impact/Risks: