Shadow copies that you create in Windows Server 2008 cannot be detected in Windows Server 2003

Consider the following scenario:

• You create a persistent shadow copy on a virtual machine in Windows Server 2008.
• You mount the virtual hard disk (VHD) file of the virtual machine on a Windows Server 2003-based computer.

In this scenario, the persistent shadow copy on the VHD file is not detected. In addition, the following event is added into the System log:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: VolSnap
Event Category: None
Event ID: 29
Date: date
Time: time
User: N/A
Computer: computer name
Description: The shadow copies of volume drive letter: were aborted during detection.

Windows Server 2003 cannot detect shadow copies that are created in Windows Server 2008 because a flag in the Diff area is unknown. This flag is only valid in Windows Server 2008.

A hotfix is available to resolve this issue. After you apply this hotfix, Windows Server 2003 can successfully detect show copies that were created in Windows Server 2008.

Hotfix information

Windows Server 2003

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

To use this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 SP1, x86-based version
Windows Server 2003 SP2, x86-based version
Windows Server 2003 SP1, Itanium-based version
Windows Server 2003 SP2, Itanium-based version
Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, x64-based version
Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows XP SP2, x64-based version

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: